College Comparison
Penn State 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
Penn State
University Park, PA
School
Amherst College
Amherst, MA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Penn State | Amherst |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 54.2% | 9.8%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1220–1400 | 1360–1550wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 27–32 | 31–35wins |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $40,188wins | $67,280 |
| Avg Net Price | $32,598 | $18,246wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $63,435 | $77,644wins |
| Graduation Rate | 85.7% | 93.4%wins |
| Retention Rate | 92.0% | 96.8%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 7:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 41,862wins | 1,907 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Amherst edges out Penn State on 8 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.
Penn State Strengths
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $40,188
- ✓Total Enrollment: 41,862
Amherst Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 9.8%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1360–1550
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 31–35
- ✓Avg Net Price: $18,246
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