Amherst College vs Brandeis University
Amherst College is a private college in Amherst, MA, and Brandeis University is a private university in Waltham, MA. Amherst College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 9% of applicants against 41% at Brandeis University. Amherst College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $23,367 a year against $35,736 at Brandeis University. About 94% of students graduate at Amherst College, compared with 86% at Brandeis University. Ten years after enrolling, Amherst College alumni earn a median of about $77,644, against $77,231 for Brandeis University.
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 Brandeis University harder to get into?
- Amherst College is harder to get into. It admits about 9% of applicants, compared with 41% at Brandeis 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 Brandeis University?
- Amherst College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,367 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $35,736 at Brandeis 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 Brandeis University?
- Before aid, Brandeis University costs about $86,448 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 Brandeis University?
- Amherst College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,086 there, against about $13,363 at Brandeis University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Amherst College or Brandeis University?
- Brandeis University is the larger of the two, with about 3,618 undergraduates against 1,911 at Amherst College.
- Does Amherst College or Brandeis University have a better graduation rate?
- Amherst College has the higher graduation rate, at about 94% against 86% at Brandeis University.
- Do graduates of Amherst College or Brandeis University earn more?
- Amherst College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $77,644 ten years after enrolling, against about $77,231 for Brandeis University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Amherst College and Brandeis University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Amherst College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Brandeis University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Amherst College and Brandeis University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1490–1580 at Amherst College and 1390–1520 at Brandeis University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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