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College Comparison

University of Virginia 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 Virginia

Charlottesville, VA

School

Amherst College

Amherst, MA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricUVAAmherst
Acceptance Rate16.9%9.8%wins
SAT Range (25th–75th)1410–1530wins1360–1550
ACT Range (25th–75th)32–34wins31–35
Tuition (Out-of-State)$58,014wins$67,280
Avg Net Price$22,881$18,246wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$86,863wins$77,644
Graduation Rate95.3%wins93.4%
Retention Rate97.3%wins96.8%
Student–Faculty Ratio15:17:1wins
Total Enrollment17,315wins1,907

Verdict

Based on the data above, UVA edges out Amherst on 7 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.

UVA Strengths

  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1410–1530
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 32–34
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $58,014
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $86,863

Amherst Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 9.8%
  • Avg Net Price: $18,246
  • Student–Faculty Ratio: 7:1

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