Skip to content

Amherst College vs Fitchburg State University

Amherst College is a private college in Amherst, MA. Fitchburg State University is a public university in Fitchburg, MA. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants and Fitchburg State University about 87%, making Amherst College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $14,262 a year at Fitchburg State University after aid, and about $23,367 at Amherst College. About 94% of students graduate at Amherst College, compared with 54% at Fitchburg State University. Ten years after enrolling, Amherst College alumni earn a median of about $77,644, against $53,874 for Fitchburg State University.

Amherst College

Amherst, MA · Private

Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg, MA · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Amherst, MA
Fitchburg, MA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,911
2,752
Acceptance rate
9%
87%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.54–4
3.34–3.84
SAT (middle 50%)
1490–1580
1060–1230
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
19–25
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$23,367
$14,262
Full cost / yr
$87,640
$25,555
In-state tuition
$70,480
$11,346
Out-of-state tuition
$70,480
$17,426
Application fee
$65
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$1,086
$10,204
$30k - $48k
$1,570
$11,199
$48k - $75k
$17,478
$11,540
$75k - $110k
$23,639
$15,571
Over $110k
$47,521
$21,123
Outcomes
Graduation rate
94%
54%
Freshman retention
97%
69%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$62,537
$41,999
Median earnings (10 yr)
$77,644
$53,874
Median debt at graduation
$13,740
$24,239
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
33%
First-generation students
21%
36%
International students
13%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 9
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 5
Aug 1

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 Fitchburg State University harder to get into?
Amherst College is harder to get into. It admits about 9% of applicants, compared with 87% at Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State University?
Fitchburg State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,262 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $23,367 at Amherst 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 Fitchburg State University?
Before aid, Fitchburg State University costs about $25,555 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 Fitchburg State University?
Amherst College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,086 there, against about $10,204 at Fitchburg State University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Amherst College or Fitchburg State University?
Fitchburg State University is the larger of the two, with about 2,752 undergraduates against 1,911 at Amherst College.
Does Amherst College or Fitchburg State University have a better graduation rate?
Amherst College has the higher graduation rate, at about 94% against 54% at Fitchburg State University.
Do graduates of Amherst College or Fitchburg State University earn more?
Amherst College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $77,644 ten years after enrolling, against about $53,874 for Fitchburg State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Amherst College and Fitchburg State University require SAT or ACT scores?
Amherst College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Fitchburg State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Amherst College and Fitchburg State University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1490–1580 at Amherst College and 1060–1230 at Fitchburg State University. 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