College Comparison
Rutgers 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
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ
School
Amherst College
Amherst, MA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Rutgers | Amherst |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 65.3% | 9.8%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1270–1480 | 1360–1550wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 28–33 | 31–35wins |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $36,001wins | $67,280 |
| Avg Net Price | $23,519 | $18,246wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $74,479 | $77,644wins |
| Graduation Rate | 85.0% | 93.4%wins |
| Retention Rate | 92.6% | 96.8%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 7:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 36,357wins | 1,907 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Amherst edges out Rutgers 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.
Rutgers Strengths
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $36,001
- ✓Total Enrollment: 36,357
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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