Wesleyan University vs. Amherst

Comparable Facts

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

Wesleyan University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (4,011 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, CT (Small City setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wesleyan University 8:1; Amherst College 6:1.

Wesleyan University vs. Amherst Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University ($19,049 vs. $23,025).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 7.5% lower than at Wesleyan University ($18,390 vs. $19,872).
• Amherst College is 0.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wesleyan University (about $138 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $70,342.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Amherst than at Wesleyan University (about $138 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $70,342.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Wesleyan University (59% vs. 42%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 3.9% larger than aid received by Wesleyan University students ($68,591 vs. $65,995).

Wesleyan University vs. Amherst Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 60 points higher than at Wesleyan University (1480).
• Incoming Wesleyan University 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: Wesleyan University 1415/1540; Amherst College 1490/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 33/35; Amherst College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wesleyan University - Test optional; Amherst - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027; Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
• Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (16.5%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Wesleyan University vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

Wesleyan University vs. Amherst Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University's (92%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $24,000 more per year than Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $4,525 lower median loan debt than Wesleyan University graduates ($12,975 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wesleyan University graduates ($134 vs. $180).
• More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.