Amherst College vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Amherst College is a private college in Amherst, MA, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private institute in Cambridge, MA. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the more selective of the two, admitting about 5% of applicants against 9% at Amherst College. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $20,111 a year against $23,367 at Amherst College. About 96% of students graduate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, compared with 94% at Amherst College. Ten years after enrolling, Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni earn a median of about $143,372, against $77,644 for Amherst College.
See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.
Start the free quiz
* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.
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 Institute of Technology harder to get into?
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology is harder to get into. It admits about 5% of applicants, compared with 9% at Amherst 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology is cheaper on average. Students pay about $20,111 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
- Before aid, Massachusetts Institute of Technology costs about $82,730 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 Institute of Technology?
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,533 there, against about $1,086 at Amherst College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Amherst College or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the larger of the two, with about 4,535 undergraduates against 1,911 at Amherst College.
- Does Amherst College or Massachusetts Institute of Technology have a better graduation rate?
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, at about 96% against 94% at Amherst College.
- Do graduates of Amherst College or Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn more?
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni earn more on average: a median of about $143,372 ten years after enrolling, against about $77,644 for Amherst College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Amherst College and Massachusetts Institute of Technology require SAT or ACT scores?
- Amherst College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Massachusetts Institute of Technology requires SAT or ACT scores.
- What SAT scores do Amherst College and Massachusetts Institute of Technology look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1490–1580 at Amherst College and 1520–1580 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 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.