Skip to content

Amherst College vs Bay Path University

Amherst College is a private college in Amherst, MA. Bay Path University is a private university in Longmeadow, MA. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants and Bay Path University about 85%, making Amherst College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $14,271 a year at Bay Path University after aid, and about $23,367 at Amherst College. About 94% of students graduate at Amherst College, compared with 51% at Bay Path University. Ten years after enrolling, Amherst College alumni earn a median of about $77,644, against $55,383 for Bay Path University.

Amherst College

Amherst, MA · Private

Bay Path University

Longmeadow, MA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Amherst, MA
Longmeadow, MA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,911
1,108
Acceptance rate
9%
85%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.54–4
3.37–3.87
SAT (middle 50%)
1490–1580
1010–1210
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
23–31
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$23,367
$14,271
Full cost / yr
$87,640
$47,308
In-state tuition
$70,480
$38,302
Out-of-state tuition
$70,480
$38,302
Application fee
$65
$25
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$1,086
$11,948
$30k - $48k
$1,570
$12,251
$48k - $75k
$17,478
$12,698
$75k - $110k
$23,639
$17,528
Over $110k
$47,521
$25,475
Outcomes
Graduation rate
94%
51%
Freshman retention
97%
73%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$62,537
$51,548
Median earnings (10 yr)
$77,644
$55,383
Median debt at graduation
$13,740
$24,901
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
64%
First-generation students
21%
50%
International students
13%
0%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 9
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 5
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Amherst College or Bay Path University harder to get into?
Amherst College is harder to get into. It admits about 9% of applicants, compared with 85% at Bay Path University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Amherst College or Bay Path University?
Bay Path University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,271 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $23,367 at Amherst College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Amherst College and Bay Path University?
Before aid, Bay Path University costs about $47,308 a year and Amherst College about $87,640. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Amherst College or Bay Path University?
Amherst College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,086 there, against about $11,948 at Bay Path University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Amherst College or Bay Path University?
Amherst College is the larger of the two, with about 1,911 undergraduates against 1,108 at Bay Path University.
Does Amherst College or Bay Path University have a better graduation rate?
Amherst College has the higher graduation rate, at about 94% against 51% at Bay Path University.
Do graduates of Amherst College or Bay Path University earn more?
Amherst College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $77,644 ten years after enrolling, against about $55,383 for Bay Path University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Amherst College and Bay Path University require SAT or ACT scores?
Amherst College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Bay Path University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Amherst College and Bay Path University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1490–1580 at Amherst College and 1010–1210 at Bay Path University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school