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College Comparison

University of Pennsylvania 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

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

School

Amherst College

Amherst, MA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricUPennAmherst
Acceptance Rate5.9%wins9.8%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1500–1570wins1360–1550
ACT Range (25th–75th)34–35wins31–35
Tuition (Out-of-State)$66,104wins$67,280
Avg Net Price$31,229$18,246wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$111,371wins$77,644
Graduation Rate96.8%wins93.4%
Retention Rate98.1%wins96.8%
Student–Faculty Ratio8:17:1wins
Total Enrollment10,768wins1,907

Verdict

Based on the data above, UPenn edges out Amherst 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.

UPenn Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 5.9%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1500–1570
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 34–35
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $66,104

Amherst Strengths

  • Avg Net Price: $18,246
  • Student–Faculty Ratio: 7:1

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