Skip to content

Amherst College vs Boston College

Amherst College is a private college in Amherst, MA. Boston College is a private college in Chestnut Hill, MA. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants and Boston College about 16%, making Amherst College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $23,367 a year at Amherst College after aid, and about $41,704 at Boston College. About 94% of students graduate at Amherst College, compared with 91% at Boston College. Ten years after enrolling, Boston College alumni earn a median of about $103,937, against $77,644 for Amherst College.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

Amherst College

Amherst, MA · Private

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Amherst, MA
Chestnut Hill, MA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
1,911
10,085
Acceptance rate
9%
16%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.54–4
3.49–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1490–1580
1440–1540
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
33–35
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$23,367
$41,704
Full cost / yr
$87,640
$89,493
In-state tuition
$70,480
$70,702
Out-of-state tuition
$70,480
$70,702
Application fee
$65
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$1,086
$4,284
$30k - $48k
$1,570
$7,304
$48k - $75k
$17,478
$13,112
$75k - $110k
$23,639
$19,999
Over $110k
$47,521
$60,308
Outcomes
Graduation rate
94%
91%
Freshman retention
97%
96%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$62,537
$85,717
Median earnings (10 yr)
$77,644
$103,937
Median debt at graduation
$13,740
$19,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
13%
First-generation students
21%
13%
International students
13%
6%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 9
Nov 1
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 5
Jan 4

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 Boston College harder to get into?
Amherst College is harder to get into. It admits about 9% of applicants, compared with 16% at Boston College. 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 Boston College?
Amherst College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,367 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $41,704 at Boston 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 Boston College?
Before aid, Amherst College costs about $87,640 a year and Boston College about $89,493. 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 Boston College?
Amherst College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,086 there, against about $4,284 at Boston College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Amherst College or Boston College?
Boston College is the larger of the two, with about 10,085 undergraduates against 1,911 at Amherst College.
Does Amherst College or Boston College have a better graduation rate?
Amherst College has the higher graduation rate, at about 94% against 91% at Boston College.
Do graduates of Amherst College or Boston College earn more?
Boston College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $103,937 ten years after enrolling, against about $77,644 for Amherst College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Amherst College and Boston College require SAT or ACT scores?
Amherst College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Boston College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Amherst College and Boston College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1490–1580 at Amherst College and 1440–1540 at Boston College. 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