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Amherst College vs Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Amherst College is a private college in Amherst, MA. Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a public university in Buzzards Bay, MA. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants and Massachusetts Maritime Academy about 95%, making Amherst College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $21,582 a year at Massachusetts Maritime Academy after aid, and about $23,367 at Amherst College. About 94% of students graduate at Amherst College, compared with 77% at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Ten years after enrolling, Massachusetts Maritime Academy alumni earn a median of about $82,392, against $77,644 for Amherst College.

Amherst College

Amherst, MA · Private

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Buzzards Bay, MA · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Amherst, MA
Buzzards Bay, MA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,911
1,395
Acceptance rate
9%
95%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.54–4
3.19–3.69
SAT (middle 50%)
1490–1580
1030–1185
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
20–28
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$23,367
$21,582
Full cost / yr
$87,640
$31,367
In-state tuition
$70,480
$11,420
Out-of-state tuition
$70,480
$23,722
Application fee
$65
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$1,086
$8,757
$30k - $48k
$1,570
$9,051
$48k - $75k
$17,478
$10,547
$75k - $110k
$23,639
$15,557
Over $110k
$47,521
$27,367
Outcomes
Graduation rate
94%
77%
Freshman retention
97%
87%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$62,537
$80,424
Median earnings (10 yr)
$77,644
$82,392
Median debt at graduation
$13,740
$25,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
19%
First-generation students
21%
21%
International students
13%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 9
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 5
Apr 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.

Frequently asked questions
Is Amherst College or Massachusetts Maritime Academy harder to get into?
Amherst College is harder to get into. It admits about 9% of applicants, compared with 95% at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. 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 Maritime Academy?
Massachusetts Maritime Academy is cheaper on average. Students pay about $21,582 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 Maritime Academy?
Before aid, Massachusetts Maritime Academy costs about $31,367 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 Maritime Academy?
Amherst College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,086 there, against about $8,757 at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Amherst College or Massachusetts Maritime Academy?
Amherst College is the larger of the two, with about 1,911 undergraduates against 1,395 at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
Does Amherst College or Massachusetts Maritime Academy have a better graduation rate?
Amherst College has the higher graduation rate, at about 94% against 77% at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
Do graduates of Amherst College or Massachusetts Maritime Academy earn more?
Massachusetts Maritime Academy alumni earn more on average: a median of about $82,392 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 Maritime Academy require SAT or ACT scores?
Amherst College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Massachusetts Maritime Academy is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Amherst College and Massachusetts Maritime Academy look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1490–1580 at Amherst College and 1030–1185 at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

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