College Comparison
Boston University 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 University
Boston, MA
School
Amherst College
Amherst, MA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Boston University | Amherst |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 10.8% | 9.8%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1400–1520wins | 1360–1550 |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 32–34wins | 31–35 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $65,168wins | $67,280 |
| Avg Net Price | $26,996 | $18,246wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $83,238wins | $77,644 |
| Graduation Rate | 90.0% | 93.4%wins |
| Retention Rate | 94.5% | 96.8%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 10:1 | 7:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 17,850wins | 1,907 |
Verdict
Boston University and Amherst are remarkably similar across key metrics. Your decision should come down to campus culture, location, financial aid package, and specific program strength.
Boston University Strengths
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1400–1520
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 32–34
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $65,168
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $83,238
Amherst Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 9.8%
- ✓Avg Net Price: $18,246
- ✓Graduation Rate: 93.4%
- ✓Retention Rate: 96.8%
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