Amherst College vs Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Amherst College is a private college in Amherst, MA. Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a public college in Boston, MA. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants and Massachusetts College of Art and Design about 76%, 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 $24,100 at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. About 94% of students graduate at Amherst College, compared with 69% at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Ten years after enrolling, Amherst College alumni earn a median of about $77,644, against $43,582 for Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Amherst, MA
Boston, MA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
1,911
1,831
Acceptance rate
9%
76%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.54–4
3.41–3.91
SAT (middle 50%)
1490–1580
1020–1260
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
Not reported
Test policy
Test optional
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$23,367
$24,100
Full cost / yr
$87,640
$34,239
In-state tuition
$70,480
$15,400
Out-of-state tuition
$70,480
$43,400
Application fee
$65
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$1,086
$16,351
$30k - $48k
$1,570
$17,636
$48k - $75k
$17,478
$18,513
$75k - $110k
$23,639
$26,265
Over $110k
$47,521
$31,882
Outcomes
Graduation rate
94%
69%
Freshman retention
97%
89%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$62,537
$27,090
Median earnings (10 yr)
$77,644
$43,582
Median debt at graduation
$13,740
$25,755
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
30%
First-generation students
21%
23%
International students
13%
3%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 9
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Dec 1
Regular decision
Jan 5
Feb 15
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 Massachusetts College of Art and Design harder to get into?
- Amherst College is harder to get into. It admits about 9% of applicants, compared with 76% at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. 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 Massachusetts College of Art and Design?
- Amherst College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,367 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $24,100 at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. 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 Massachusetts College of Art and Design?
- Before aid, Massachusetts College of Art and Design costs about $34,239 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 Massachusetts College of Art and Design?
- Amherst College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,086 there, against about $16,351 at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Amherst College or Massachusetts College of Art and Design?
- Amherst College is the larger of the two, with about 1,911 undergraduates against 1,831 at Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
- Does Amherst College or Massachusetts College of Art and Design have a better graduation rate?
- Amherst College has the higher graduation rate, at about 94% against 69% at Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
- Do graduates of Amherst College or Massachusetts College of Art and Design earn more?
- Amherst College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $77,644 ten years after enrolling, against about $43,582 for Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Amherst College and Massachusetts College of Art and Design require SAT or ACT scores?
- Amherst College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Massachusetts College of Art and Design is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do Amherst College and Massachusetts College of Art and Design look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1490–1580 at Amherst College and 1020–1260 at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Amherst College vs Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyAmherst College vs Williams CollegeAmherst College vs Wellesley CollegeMassachusetts College of Art and Design vs Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts College of Art and Design vs Williams CollegeMassachusetts College of Art and Design vs Wellesley College
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