George Washington vs. Amherst

Comparable Facts

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

George Washington University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Washington University 13:1; Amherst College 6:1.

George Washington vs. Amherst Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington or Amherst? 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 George Washington ($19,049 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Washington University are 8% lower than at Amherst College ($16,920 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than George Washington (about $2,770 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $67,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Amherst than at George Washington University (about $2,770 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $67,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at Amherst College (78% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 82.9% larger than aid received by George Washington University students ($68,591 vs. $37,500).

George Washington vs. Amherst Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 110 points higher than at George Washington (1430).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at George Washington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; Amherst College 1490/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; Amherst College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; Amherst - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at George Washington (3.81).
• George Washington has a higher acceptance rate (47.1%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

George Washington vs. Amherst Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington and Amherst? 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 George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than George Washington graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $80,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $11,987 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($12,975 vs. $24,962).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($134 vs. $258).
• More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former George Washington students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 82%)

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.