Amherst vs. Ursinus College

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Amherst College is larger than Ursinus College based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 1,502 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Ursinus College is in Collegeville, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ursinus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Ursinus College 10:1.

Amherst vs. Ursinus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Ursinus College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Amherst College than Ursinus College ($19,049 vs. $32,158).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ursinus College are 7.4% lower than at Amherst College ($17,028 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 15.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ursinus College (about $9,270 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $61,210.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.1% higher at Amherst than at Ursinus College (about $9,270 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $61,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ursinus College than at Amherst College (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 53.3% larger than aid received by Ursinus College students ($68,591 vs. $44,754).

Amherst vs. Ursinus College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or Ursinus College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Ursinus College and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 250 points higher than at Ursinus College (1290).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Ursinus College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Ursinus College 1200/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Ursinus College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Ursinus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Ursinus College May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Ursinus College (3.53).
• Ursinus College has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 12.5% at Ursinus College.

Amherst vs. Ursinus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Ursinus College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Ursinus College's (80%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $24,000 more per year than Ursinus College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $14,025 lower median loan debt than Ursinus College graduates ($12,975 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ursinus College graduates ($134 vs. $279).
• More Ursinus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.