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Amherst College vs Dean College

Amherst College is a private college in Amherst, MA. Dean College is a private college in Franklin, MA. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants and Dean College about 74%, 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 $30,684 at Dean College. About 94% of students graduate at Amherst College, compared with 48% at Dean College. Ten years after enrolling, Amherst College alumni earn a median of about $77,644, against $38,109 for Dean College.

Amherst College

Amherst, MA · Private

Dean College

Franklin, MA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Amherst, MA
Franklin, MA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,911
1,089
Acceptance rate
9%
74%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.54–4
3.36–3.86
SAT (middle 50%)
1490–1580
910–1105
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
17–22
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$23,367
$30,684
Full cost / yr
$87,640
$64,889
In-state tuition
$70,480
$46,526
Out-of-state tuition
$70,480
$46,526
Application fee
$65
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$1,086
$26,996
$30k - $48k
$1,570
$26,798
$48k - $75k
$17,478
$28,640
$75k - $110k
$23,639
$31,161
Over $110k
$47,521
$34,318
Outcomes
Graduation rate
94%
48%
Freshman retention
97%
68%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$62,537
$30,046
Median earnings (10 yr)
$77,644
$38,109
Median debt at graduation
$13,740
$25,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
34%
First-generation students
21%
32%
International students
13%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 9
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
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 Dean College harder to get into?
Amherst College is harder to get into. It admits about 9% of applicants, compared with 74% at Dean 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 Dean College?
Amherst College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,367 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $30,684 at Dean 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 Dean College?
Before aid, Dean College costs about $64,889 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 Dean College?
Amherst College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,086 there, against about $26,996 at Dean College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Amherst College or Dean College?
Amherst College is the larger of the two, with about 1,911 undergraduates against 1,089 at Dean College.
Does Amherst College or Dean College have a better graduation rate?
Amherst College has the higher graduation rate, at about 94% against 48% at Dean College.
Do graduates of Amherst College or Dean College earn more?
Amherst College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $77,644 ten years after enrolling, against about $38,109 for Dean College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Amherst College and Dean College require SAT or ACT scores?
Amherst College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Dean College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Amherst College and Dean College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1490–1580 at Amherst College and 910–1105 at Dean College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

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