Amherst vs. Wellesley

Comparable Facts

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

Wellesley College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,407 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Wellesley College is in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Wellesley College 7:1.

Amherst vs. Wellesley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Wellesley? 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 Wellesley ($19,049 vs. $22,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 12.5% lower than at Wellesley College ($18,390 vs. $21,024).
• Amherst College is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $3,304 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at Amherst than at Wellesley College (about $3,304 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Wellesley College (59% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 7% larger than aid received by Wellesley College students ($68,591 vs. $64,116).

Amherst vs. Wellesley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 30 points higher than at Wellesley (1510).
• Incoming Amherst students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Wellesley (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Wellesley College 1460/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Wellesley College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Wellesley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Wellesley (3.86).
• Wellesley has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 47.6% at Wellesley.

Amherst vs. Wellesley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Wellesley? 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 Wellesley College's (92%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $4,075 lower median loan debt than Amherst graduates ($8,900 vs. $12,975).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Amherst graduates ($92 vs. $134).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.