UChicago vs. Amherst

Comparable Facts

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

University of Chicago is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (18,566 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• University of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Chicago 5:1; Amherst College 6:1.

UChicago vs. Amherst Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UChicago 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 UChicago ($19,049 vs. $28,060).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 8.5% lower than at University of Chicago ($18,390 vs. $20,109).
• University of Chicago is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Amherst (about $182 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $70,480.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at UChicago than at Amherst College (about $182 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $70,480.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at University of Chicago (59% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 10.1% larger than aid received by University of Chicago students ($68,591 vs. $62,300).

UChicago vs. Amherst Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UChicago 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 UChicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Chicago (1550) is 10 points higher than at Amherst (1540).
• Incoming UChicago students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Amherst (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 1510/1580; Amherst College 1490/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 34/35; Amherst College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UChicago - Test optional; Amherst - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UChicago students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Amherst (3.91).
• Amherst has a higher acceptance rate (9%) than UChicago (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

UChicago vs. Amherst Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UChicago 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 University of Chicago's (92%).
• Graduates from University of Chicago earn a median of about $16,500 more per year than Amherst graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,500 vs. $82,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $1,525 lower median loan debt than UChicago graduates ($12,975 vs. $14,500).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UChicago graduates ($134 vs. $149).
• More UChicago 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.