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Amherst College vs Worcester State University

Amherst College is a private college in Amherst, MA. Worcester State University is a public university in Worcester, MA. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants and Worcester State University about 88%, making Amherst College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $13,381 a year at Worcester State University after aid, and about $23,367 at Amherst College. About 94% of students graduate at Amherst College, compared with 58% at Worcester State University. Ten years after enrolling, Amherst College alumni earn a median of about $77,644, against $60,624 for Worcester State University.

Amherst College

Amherst, MA · Private

Worcester State University

Worcester, MA · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Amherst, MA
Worcester, MA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
1,911
3,930
Acceptance rate
9%
88%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.54–4
3.32–3.82
SAT (middle 50%)
1490–1580
1026–1283
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
22–29
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$23,367
$13,381
Full cost / yr
$87,640
$22,874
In-state tuition
$70,480
$11,786
Out-of-state tuition
$70,480
$17,866
Application fee
$65
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$1,086
$8,793
$30k - $48k
$1,570
$9,629
$48k - $75k
$17,478
$9,540
$75k - $110k
$23,639
$13,658
Over $110k
$47,521
$19,679
Outcomes
Graduation rate
94%
58%
Freshman retention
97%
78%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$62,537
$50,233
Median earnings (10 yr)
$77,644
$60,624
Median debt at graduation
$13,740
$19,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
30%
First-generation students
21%
36%
International students
13%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 9
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 15
Regular decision
Jan 5
May 1

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 Worcester State University harder to get into?
Amherst College is harder to get into. It admits about 9% of applicants, compared with 88% at Worcester State 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 Worcester State University?
Worcester State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,381 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 Worcester State University?
Before aid, Worcester State University costs about $22,874 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 Worcester State University?
Amherst College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,086 there, against about $8,793 at Worcester State University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Amherst College or Worcester State University?
Worcester State University is the larger of the two, with about 3,930 undergraduates against 1,911 at Amherst College.
Does Amherst College or Worcester State University have a better graduation rate?
Amherst College has the higher graduation rate, at about 94% against 58% at Worcester State University.
Do graduates of Amherst College or Worcester State University earn more?
Amherst College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $77,644 ten years after enrolling, against about $60,624 for Worcester State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Amherst College and Worcester State University require SAT or ACT scores?
Amherst College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Worcester State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Amherst College and Worcester State University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1490–1580 at Amherst College and 1026–1283 at Worcester State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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