College Comparison
UC Irvine 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
UC Irvine
Irvine, CA
School
Amherst College
Amherst, MA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | UC Irvine | Amherst |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 25.6% | 9.8%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | N/A | 1360–1550wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | N/A | 31–35 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $45,014wins | $67,280 |
| Avg Net Price | $12,840wins | $18,246 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $80,735wins | $77,644 |
| Graduation Rate | 86.0% | 93.4%wins |
| Retention Rate | 93.8% | 96.8%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 7:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 29,494wins | 1,907 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Amherst edges out UC Irvine on 5 of 9 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.
UC Irvine Strengths
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $45,014
- ✓Avg Net Price: $12,840
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $80,735
- ✓Total Enrollment: 29,494
Amherst Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 9.8%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1360–1550
- ✓Graduation Rate: 93.4%
- ✓Retention Rate: 96.8%
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