Amherst vs. Villanova

Comparable Facts

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

Villanova University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (10,041 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Amherst vs. Villanova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Villanova? 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 Villanova ($19,049 vs. $37,201).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Villanova University are 3.8% lower than at Amherst College ($17,694 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Villanova (about $2,704 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $67,776.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Amherst than at Villanova University (about $2,704 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $67,776.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Villanova University (59% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 44.1% larger than aid received by Villanova University students ($68,591 vs. $47,609).

Amherst vs. Villanova Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or Villanova? 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 Villanova and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 90 points higher than at Villanova (1450).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Villanova).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Villanova University 1395/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Villanova University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Villanova - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Villanova Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Villanova (3.87).
• Villanova has a higher acceptance rate (27%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 27.7% at Villanova.

Amherst vs. Villanova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Villanova? 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 Villanova University's (90%).
• Graduates from Villanova University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Amherst graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,100 vs. $82,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $13,522 lower median loan debt than Villanova graduates ($12,975 vs. $26,497).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $139 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Villanova graduates ($134 vs. $273).
• More Villanova graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.