Skip to content

Amherst College vs Western New England University

Amherst College is a private college in Amherst, MA. Western New England University is a private university in Springfield, MA. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants and Western New England University about 83%, 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 $27,290 at Western New England University. About 94% of students graduate at Amherst College, compared with 64% at Western New England University. Ten years after enrolling, Amherst College alumni earn a median of about $77,644, against $73,157 for Western New England University.

Amherst College

Amherst, MA · Private

Western New England University

Springfield, MA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Amherst, MA
Springfield, MA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
1,911
2,603
Acceptance rate
9%
83%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.54–4
3.38–3.88
SAT (middle 50%)
1490–1580
1090–1300
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
21–28
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$23,367
$27,290
Full cost / yr
$87,640
$60,262
In-state tuition
$70,480
$47,820
Out-of-state tuition
$70,480
$47,820
Application fee
$65
$40
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$1,086
$20,726
$30k - $48k
$1,570
$22,471
$48k - $75k
$17,478
$25,205
$75k - $110k
$23,639
$28,660
Over $110k
$47,521
$29,794
Outcomes
Graduation rate
94%
64%
Freshman retention
97%
74%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$62,537
$51,771
Median earnings (10 yr)
$77,644
$73,157
Median debt at graduation
$13,740
$25,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
24%
First-generation students
21%
25%
International students
13%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 9
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 15
Regular decision
Jan 5
Rolling

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 Western New England University harder to get into?
Amherst College is harder to get into. It admits about 9% of applicants, compared with 83% at Western New England 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 Western New England University?
Amherst College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,367 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $27,290 at Western New England University. 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 Western New England University?
Before aid, Western New England University costs about $60,262 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 Western New England University?
Amherst College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,086 there, against about $20,726 at Western New England University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Amherst College or Western New England University?
Western New England University is the larger of the two, with about 2,603 undergraduates against 1,911 at Amherst College.
Does Amherst College or Western New England University have a better graduation rate?
Amherst College has the higher graduation rate, at about 94% against 64% at Western New England University.
Do graduates of Amherst College or Western New England University earn more?
Amherst College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $77,644 ten years after enrolling, against about $73,157 for Western New England University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Amherst College and Western New England University require SAT or ACT scores?
Amherst College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Western New England University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Amherst College and Western New England University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1490–1580 at Amherst College and 1090–1300 at Western New England 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