College Comparison
UIUC 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
UIUC
Champaign, IL
School
Amherst College
Amherst, MA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | UIUC | Amherst |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 43.7% | 9.8%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1270–1510 | 1360–1550wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 29–34 | 31–35wins |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $34,501wins | $67,280 |
| Avg Net Price | $15,201wins | $18,246 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $81,054wins | $77,644 |
| Graduation Rate | 84.9% | 93.4%wins |
| Retention Rate | 94.3% | 96.8%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 20:1 | 7:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 34,623wins | 1,907 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Amherst edges out UIUC on 6 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.
UIUC Strengths
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $34,501
- ✓Avg Net Price: $15,201
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $81,054
- ✓Total Enrollment: 34,623
Amherst Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 9.8%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1360–1550
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 31–35
- ✓Graduation Rate: 93.4%
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