College Comparison
Boston College vs Amherst College: Which is Better?
Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more — updated with the latest College Scorecard data.
School
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
School
Amherst College
Amherst, MA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Boston College | Amherst |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 15.7% | 9.8%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1430–1540wins | 1360–1550 |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 33–34wins | 31–35 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $67,680 | $67,280wins |
| Avg Net Price | $39,866 | $18,246wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $103,937wins | $77,644 |
| Graduation Rate | 91.0% | 93.4%wins |
| Retention Rate | 95.4% | 96.8%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 7:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 9,865wins | 1,907 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Amherst edges out Boston College on 6 of 10 measurable categories — including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.
Boston College Strengths
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1430–1540
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 33–34
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $103,937
- ✓Total Enrollment: 9,865
Amherst Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 9.8%
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $67,280
- ✓Avg Net Price: $18,246
- ✓Graduation Rate: 93.4%
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