Amherst vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Wheaton College (Massachusetts) in Norton, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Amherst College is larger than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 1,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is in Norton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 11:1.

Amherst vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) ($19,049 vs. $30,701).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) are 11.9% lower than at Amherst College ($16,200 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 10.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (about $6,520 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $63,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.2% higher at Amherst than at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (about $6,520 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $63,960.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than at Amherst College (99% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 40.9% larger than aid received by Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students ($68,591 vs. $48,666).

Amherst vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 230 points higher than at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (1310).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Wheaton College (Massachusetts)).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 1220/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (3.48).
• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) has a higher acceptance rate (67.7%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 12.9% at Wheaton College (Massachusetts).

Amherst vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts)'s (77%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $28,300 more per year than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $13,025 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates ($12,975 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates ($134 vs. $268).
• More Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 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.