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Amherst College vs Mount Holyoke College

Amherst College is a private college in Amherst, MA, and Mount Holyoke College is a private college in South Hadley, MA. Amherst College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 9% of applicants against 36% at Mount Holyoke College. Amherst College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $23,367 a year against $26,441 at Mount Holyoke College. About 94% of students graduate at Amherst College, compared with 85% at Mount Holyoke College. Ten years after enrolling, Amherst College alumni earn a median of about $77,644, against $58,418 for Mount Holyoke College.

Amherst College

Amherst, MA · Private

Mount Holyoke College

South Hadley, MA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Amherst, MA
South Hadley, MA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,911
2,169
Acceptance rate
9%
36%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.54–4
3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1490–1580
1380–1530
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
32–35
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$23,367
$26,441
Full cost / yr
$87,640
$84,926
In-state tuition
$70,480
$67,018
Out-of-state tuition
$70,480
$67,018
Application fee
$65
$60
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$1,086
$10,882
$30k - $48k
$1,570
$9,526
$48k - $75k
$17,478
$17,394
$75k - $110k
$23,639
$24,247
Over $110k
$47,521
$38,561
Outcomes
Graduation rate
94%
85%
Freshman retention
97%
89%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$62,537
$48,590
Median earnings (10 yr)
$77,644
$58,418
Median debt at graduation
$13,740
$22,902
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
22%
First-generation students
21%
19%
International students
13%
20%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 9
Nov 15
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 5
Jan 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 Mount Holyoke College harder to get into?
Amherst College is harder to get into. It admits about 9% of applicants, compared with 36% at Mount Holyoke 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 Mount Holyoke College?
Amherst College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,367 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $26,441 at Mount Holyoke 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 Mount Holyoke College?
Before aid, Mount Holyoke College costs about $84,926 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 Mount Holyoke College?
Amherst College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,086 there, against about $10,882 at Mount Holyoke College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Amherst College or Mount Holyoke College?
Mount Holyoke College is the larger of the two, with about 2,169 undergraduates against 1,911 at Amherst College.
Does Amherst College or Mount Holyoke College have a better graduation rate?
Amherst College has the higher graduation rate, at about 94% against 85% at Mount Holyoke College.
Do graduates of Amherst College or Mount Holyoke College earn more?
Amherst College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $77,644 ten years after enrolling, against about $58,418 for Mount Holyoke College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Amherst College and Mount Holyoke College require SAT or ACT scores?
Amherst College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Mount Holyoke College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Amherst College and Mount Holyoke College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1490–1580 at Amherst College and 1380–1530 at Mount Holyoke College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

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