Yale vs. Amherst

Comparable Facts

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

Yale University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (15,564 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Yale University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• Yale University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Yale University 5:1; Amherst College 6:1.

Yale vs. Amherst Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Yale 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 Yale ($19,049 vs. $22,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 7.6% lower than at Yale University ($18,390 vs. $19,900).
• Amherst College is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Yale (about $3,230 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $67,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at Amherst than at Yale University (about $3,230 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $67,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Yale University (59% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 4.1% larger than aid received by Yale University students ($68,591 vs. $65,892).

Yale vs. Amherst Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Yale 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 Yale.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 20 points higher than at Yale (1520).
• Incoming Yale 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: Yale University 1470/1570; Amherst College 1490/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 33/35; Amherst College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Yale - Required; Amherst - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Yale 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 Yale (3.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

Yale vs. Amherst Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Yale 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).

• Yale University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Amherst College's (96%).
• Graduates from Yale University earn a median of about $36,400 more per year than Amherst graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,400 vs. $82,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $525 lower median loan debt than Yale graduates ($12,975 vs. $13,500).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Yale graduates ($134 vs. $139).
• More Yale graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.