Skip to content

College Comparison

Yale 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

Yale University

New Haven, CT

School

Amherst College

Amherst, MA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricYaleAmherst
Acceptance Rate4.5%wins9.8%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1500–1580wins1360–1550
ACT Range (25th–75th)33–35wins31–35
Tuition (Out-of-State)$64,700wins$67,280
Avg Net Price$27,818$18,246wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$100,533wins$77,644
Graduation Rate96.3%wins93.4%
Retention Rate99.0%wins96.8%
Student–Faculty Ratio6:1wins7:1
Total Enrollment6,811wins1,907

Verdict

Based on the data above, Yale edges out Amherst on 9 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.

Yale Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 4.5%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1500–1580
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 33–35
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $64,700

Amherst Strengths

  • Avg Net Price: $18,246

Want a deeper comparison?

Our interactive compare tool lets you add more schools, filter by major, and see financial aid breakdowns by income level.

Open Compare Tool

Related Comparisons