Amherst College vs Boston University
Amherst College is a private college in Amherst, MA. Boston University is a private university in Boston, MA. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants and Boston University about 11%, 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 $24,402 at Boston University. About 94% of students graduate at Amherst College, compared with 89% at Boston University. Ten years after enrolling, Boston University alumni earn a median of about $83,238, against $77,644 for Amherst College.
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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.
- Is Amherst College or Boston University harder to get into?
- Amherst College is harder to get into. It admits about 9% of applicants, compared with 11% at Boston 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 Boston University?
- Amherst College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,367 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $24,402 at Boston University. 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 University?
- Before aid, Boston University costs about $86,285 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 Boston University?
- Amherst College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,086 there, against about $9,500 at Boston University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Amherst College or Boston University?
- Boston University is the larger of the two, with about 18,248 undergraduates against 1,911 at Amherst College.
- Does Amherst College or Boston University have a better graduation rate?
- Amherst College has the higher graduation rate, at about 94% against 89% at Boston University.
- Do graduates of Amherst College or Boston University earn more?
- Boston University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $83,238 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 University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Amherst College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Boston University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Amherst College and Boston University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1490–1580 at Amherst College and 1420–1530 at Boston University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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