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.
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- 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.
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