Skip to content

Amherst College vs Framingham State University

Amherst College is a private college in Amherst, MA. Framingham State University is a public university in Framingham, MA. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants and Framingham State University about 84%, making Amherst College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $16,114 a year at Framingham State University after aid, and about $23,367 at Amherst College. About 94% of students graduate at Amherst College, compared with 49% at Framingham State University. Ten years after enrolling, Amherst College alumni earn a median of about $77,644, against $52,349 for Framingham State University.

Amherst College

Amherst, MA · Private

Framingham State University

Framingham, MA · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Amherst, MA
Framingham, MA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
1,911
2,566
Acceptance rate
9%
84%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.54–4
3.38–3.88
SAT (middle 50%)
1490–1580
1100–1280
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
26–31
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$23,367
$16,114
Full cost / yr
$87,640
$27,413
In-state tuition
$70,480
$11,920
Out-of-state tuition
$70,480
$18,000
Application fee
$65
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$1,086
$11,934
$30k - $48k
$1,570
$12,233
$48k - $75k
$17,478
$13,879
$75k - $110k
$23,639
$18,551
Over $110k
$47,521
$21,962
Outcomes
Graduation rate
94%
49%
Freshman retention
97%
71%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$62,537
$46,611
Median earnings (10 yr)
$77,644
$52,349
Median debt at graduation
$13,740
$25,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
37%
First-generation students
21%
32%
International students
13%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 9
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 15
Regular decision
Jan 5
Jun 30

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 Framingham State University harder to get into?
Amherst College is harder to get into. It admits about 9% of applicants, compared with 84% at Framingham 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 Framingham State University?
Framingham State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $16,114 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 Framingham State University?
Before aid, Framingham State University costs about $27,413 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 Framingham State University?
Amherst College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,086 there, against about $11,934 at Framingham 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 Framingham State University?
Framingham State University is the larger of the two, with about 2,566 undergraduates against 1,911 at Amherst College.
Does Amherst College or Framingham State University have a better graduation rate?
Amherst College has the higher graduation rate, at about 94% against 49% at Framingham State University.
Do graduates of Amherst College or Framingham State University earn more?
Amherst College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $77,644 ten years after enrolling, against about $52,349 for Framingham State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Amherst College and Framingham State University require SAT or ACT scores?
Amherst College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Framingham State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Amherst College and Framingham State University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1490–1580 at Amherst College and 1100–1280 at Framingham 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