Tufts vs amherst. Amherst vs Tufts: Comprehensive Comparison of Two Elite Liberal Arts Colleges

How do Amherst College and Tufts University compare in terms of admissions, academics, and student life. What are the key differences between these two prestigious New England institutions. Which school might be a better fit for different types of students.

Key Statistics: Amherst College vs Tufts University

When comparing Amherst College and Tufts University, it’s important to examine some key statistics that highlight the similarities and differences between these two prestigious institutions:

• In-state tuition: Amherst ($50,562) vs Tufts ($50,604)
• Net price: Amherst ($18,848) vs Tufts ($29,565)
• Average financial aid: Amherst ($47,490) vs Tufts ($37,030)
• Total undergraduates: Amherst (1,795) vs Tufts (5,236)
• Average SAT scores: Amherst (1360-1553) vs Tufts (1370-1520)
• Acceptance rate: Amherst (14%) vs Tufts (16%)

These numbers reveal that while both schools are highly selective and expensive, Amherst tends to offer more generous financial aid, resulting in a lower net price for students. Tufts, on the other hand, has a significantly larger undergraduate population.

Admissions: Comparing Selectivity and Requirements

Both Amherst College and Tufts University are highly selective institutions, but there are some nuances in their admissions processes:

Acceptance Rates

Amherst has a slightly lower acceptance rate at 14% compared to Tufts’ 16%. However, this small difference doesn’t necessarily mean that Amherst is significantly harder to get into. Both schools consider a holistic range of factors in their admissions decisions.

Standardized Test Scores

The average SAT score ranges for admitted students are quite similar:

• Amherst: 1360-1553
• Tufts: 1370-1520

This indicates that both schools attract high-achieving students with strong academic credentials.

Application Requirements

Both Amherst and Tufts require similar application materials, including:

• Common Application or Coalition Application
• Official high school transcript
• Letters of recommendation
• Optional SAT/ACT scores (both schools are test-optional)
• Supplemental essays

Is early decision an advantage at these schools? Both Amherst and Tufts offer Early Decision options, which can potentially increase an applicant’s chances of admission if they are certain the school is their top choice. However, it’s important to note that Early Decision is binding, so students should carefully consider this option.

Academic Programs and Majors: Liberal Arts vs. Research University

While both Amherst and Tufts offer excellent academic programs, there are some key differences in their approaches and offerings:

Amherst College

Amherst is a small liberal arts college known for its open curriculum, which allows students to design their own course of study with few requirements outside their major. Some popular majors at Amherst include:

• Economics
• Mathematics
• English
• Political Science
• Psychology

Tufts University

Tufts is a larger research university that offers a wider range of programs, including professional schools. Popular majors at Tufts include:

• Computer Science
• International Relations
• Biology
• Economics
• Engineering (various disciplines)

How do the academic experiences differ between these schools? Amherst’s smaller size and liberal arts focus typically means smaller class sizes and more direct interaction with professors. Tufts, as a research university, may offer more opportunities for undergraduate research and a wider variety of specialized programs.

Campus Life and Student Experience

The student experience at Amherst and Tufts differs in several key aspects:

Size and Setting

Amherst is located in the small town of Amherst, Massachusetts, with a tight-knit community of around 1,800 undergraduates. Tufts is situated in Medford, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston, with a larger undergraduate population of over 5,000 students.

Housing

Both schools offer on-campus housing options, but the experiences may differ:

• Amherst guarantees on-campus housing for all four years, fostering a strong residential community.
• Tufts requires students to live on campus for their first two years, with many upperclassmen choosing to live off-campus in the surrounding area.

Social Life

Are there differences in social scenes between Amherst and Tufts? While both schools offer a variety of extracurricular activities and social events, there are some distinctions:

• Amherst’s social life is more centered on campus, with a strong emphasis on dorm life and campus events.
• Tufts students may have more opportunities to engage with the broader Boston area, including its cultural offerings and nightlife.

Financial Aid and Cost of Attendance

Both Amherst and Tufts are committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students, but there are some differences in their approaches:

Amherst College

• Net price: $18,848
• Average financial aid package: $47,490
• No-loan policy for all students

Tufts University

• Net price: $29,565
• Average financial aid package: $37,030
• Offers loans as part of financial aid packages

Why is there a significant difference in net price between the two schools? Amherst’s larger endowment per student allows it to offer more generous financial aid packages, often resulting in a lower out-of-pocket cost for students and families.

Career Outcomes and Alumni Networks

Both Amherst and Tufts have strong reputations for preparing students for successful careers and graduate school admissions. However, there are some differences in their alumni networks and career outcomes:

Amherst College

• Smaller, tight-knit alumni network
• Strong placement rates in top graduate programs
• Notable alumni in fields such as literature, politics, and academia

Tufts University

• Larger, more diverse alumni network
• Strong connections in industries such as technology, healthcare, and international relations
• Notable alumni in business, politics, and STEM fields

How do career services compare between the two schools? Both Amherst and Tufts offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, internship opportunities, and job fairs. Tufts’ larger size and proximity to Boston may provide more diverse internship and networking opportunities, while Amherst’s smaller community often leads to more personalized career guidance.

Athletics and Extracurricular Activities

Both Amherst and Tufts offer a range of athletic and extracurricular opportunities, but there are some key differences:

Amherst College

• Member of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC)
• Strong Division III athletic programs
• Emphasis on student-athlete balance
• Over 100 student organizations

Tufts University

• Also a member of NESCAC for most sports
• Larger variety of club and intramural sports
• Over 300 student organizations
• Strong performing arts programs

Which school offers more diverse extracurricular opportunities? Tufts’ larger size generally translates to a wider variety of clubs and organizations. However, Amherst’s smaller community often allows for more student leadership opportunities within existing groups.

Campus Culture and Diversity

Both Amherst and Tufts are committed to fostering diverse and inclusive communities, but there are some differences in their student body compositions:

Amherst College

• 42.12% White
• 13.43% Hispanic
• 11.70% Black
• 9.64% International
• 23.1% Other

Tufts University

• 58.17% White
• 6.23% Hispanic
• 3.86% Black
• 9.24% International
• 22.5% Other

How do the schools compare in terms of socioeconomic diversity? Amherst’s more generous financial aid policies often result in a more socioeconomically diverse student body. Both schools have initiatives to support first-generation and low-income students, but Amherst’s policies may make it more accessible to a broader range of students.

In terms of campus culture, Amherst tends to have a more close-knit, collaborative atmosphere due to its smaller size. Tufts, with its larger and more diverse student body, may offer a wider range of cultural experiences and perspectives.

Amherst vs. Tufts University 2023

Amherst College chances calculator

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This complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between Amherst College and Tufts University. This comparison is particularly valuable at understanding the cultural nuances between the colleges since it uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of campus – these videos are exclusively available on CampusReel 🙂

Differences between Amherst College and Tufts University

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between Amherst College and Tufts University. The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.

WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, Amherst College is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between Amherst and Medford.
Amherst
is in a New England and
Tufts University
is in a New England – sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools

Is Amherst College or Tufts University Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?

If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then Amherst College is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.

Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that Amherst College is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, Tufts University is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.

You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.

Amherst College chances calculator

This free college chances tool calculates your acceptance chances at any other U. S. college

Please note all chances are estimates based on test score and GPA averages.

Your SAT Score

*optional

400

1600

my SAT

Your ACT Score

*optional

Select a Score

Your GPA*

on a 4.0 scale

*or select a school below for a specific calculation

Need chances at another college?

Abilene Christian UniversityAbraham Baldwin Agricultural CollegeAcademy CollegeAcademy for Five Element AcupunctureAcademy for Jewish Religion-CaliforniaAcademy of Art UniversityAcademy of Chinese Culture and Health SciencesAcupuncture and Integrative Medicine College-BerkeleyAcupuncture and Massage CollegeAdams State University

Read more about Amherst requirements

Read more about Tufts University requirements

How Do Amherst Dorms Compare to housing Options at Tufts University?

Both colleges provide on-campus living options. Amherst charges for on-campus living, while Tufts University charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.

Dorm videos for
Amherst.

Check here.

Dorm videos for
Tufts University.

Check here.

How does Amherst social life compare to Tufts University?

It’s tough to understand the nuances of social life with data alone. That’s why we’ve brought in real student videos to show how Amherst social life differs from Tufts University.

Social life videos for
Amherst.

Check here.

Social life videos for
Tufts University.

Check here.

Amherst
and
Tufts University
student body differences

The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.

	Amherst College , %	Tufts University,%
White	42.120000000000005	58.17
Hispanic	13.43	6.23
Black	11. 700000000000001	3.8600000000000003
Foreign	9.64	9.24
Others	23.1	22.5

How different is the Amherst College campus compared to Tufts University campus?

The
Amherst
campus is located in Amherst, MA and is characterized as Suburb: Large (outside principal city, in urbanized area with population of 250,000 or more). The
Tufts University
campus is located in Medford, MA and is characterized as Suburb: Large (outside principal city, in urbanized area with population of 250,000 or more).

Check out all campus videos for Amherst here

Check out all campus videos for Tufts University here

Which school gives more financial aid?

Amherst provides $47,490 whereas Tufts University provides an average of $37,030.

When analyzing academics between Amherst College and Tufts University we’ll look at both what current students are studying and also where they end up after graduation. After all, college should prepare you for a career! Analyzing each school’s outcomes is super valuable to understand the value of the degree.

For more comparisons of Amherst College check these out:

Amherst vs Wesleyan University
Amherst vs Williams
Amherst vs Middlebury College

For more comparison of Tufts University check these out:

Tufts University vs Yale University
Tufts University vs BC
Tufts University vs Harvard University
Tufts University vs MIT
Tufts University vs Dartmouth
Tufts University vs Brown

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Amherst vs Tufts – Amherst College

yaboi99
April 5, 2017, 5:49am

1

Hey I’m currently trying to decide whether to attend Amherst College or Tufts University
Some things that I’m considering are
-Socioeconomic Diversity
-Feel of the Campus (I’ve heard Tufts is preppy but I don’t know about Amherst)
-Classes
-How the location affects the overall experience (close vs far from big cities)

Money Isn’t an issue because I’ve gotten very good financial aid packages from both of them.

yaboi99
April 5, 2017, 5:50am

2

By the way, I’m considering majoring in political science or mathematics

Economathematics
April 5, 2017, 3:24pm

3

Amherst is VERY diverse. I believe one of the most diverse of the NESCACs, in all aspects except for political orientation, lol. Amherst is preppy, but not as much as Tufts. Classes here are very engaging and are challenging, but also very manageable. They were easier than I expected. We are not near any big cities, I think a couple hours away from both NYC and Boston. That being said, all you really need is very close and within walking distance. I think being in a college town makes college life more exciting, and the campus more like a close-knit community.

Both our mathematics and poly sci department are very good. I have taken classes in both departments, and have really enjoyed them.

ThankYouforHelp
April 5, 2017, 4:16pm

4

Amherst, along with Vassar, has the greatest socioeconomic and ethnic diversity of any top LAC. Although it has a preppy history, those days are long gone. The typical class will be smaller than the same class would be at Tufts, and the access to summer internships and unique career options will be greater. The alumni network is small but incredibly supportive.

Tufts also is an excellent school, and if you require a more urban environment, it fits the bill. There is more research going on at Tufts, but there are more students competing to do that research, including grad students.

OHMomof2
April 5, 2017, 8:21pm

5

Will you be able to visit? That might clinch it.

-How the location affects the overall experience (close vs far from big cities)

Amherst has a lot more stuff in walking distance of campus than Tufts does, was my impression at the time we visited Tufts. We drove from there to a cool commercial area with thrift shops and restaurants about ten minutes away. Boston is close (30 minutes or so) though the Tufts tour guide we had said hardly anyone goes there regularly.

The Amherst area has 5 colleges, 2 right in town and one of the two has 25,000 students so that makes it a very college-ey college town. Boston is 2 hours, NYC is 3 and there are buses that go to both every day, nonstop on weekends. Speaking of buses there’s free bus service throughout the area linking the 5 colleges with each other, with shopping, etc.

Amherst kids do summer internships in big cities. They don’t really do them during the school year but that may be an option for Tufts re: Boston.

-Socioeconomic Diversity

Amherst wins this one. Tufts has more kids from the top 1% than the bottom 60% according to the NYT article: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/01/18/upshot/some-colleges-have-more-students-from-the-top-1-percent-than-the-bottom-60.html?_r=0

-Classes

What’s your concern here? Difficulty, size, variety? Most classes at Amherst are small, all are taught by professors and you have the option of taking classes at any of the 5 area colleges if you don’t find what you want at Amherst. that said, most Amherst kids stay at Amherst for class, more often kids from the other schools go there for classes.

Pasadenadad
April 8, 2017, 5:41am

6

They kind of have the same mascot now.

circuitrider
April 8, 2017, 11:46am

7

Tufts is the big kid in your homeroom who everyone suspects is older than his birth certificate says. Unless you really crave being able to see the Boston skyline from the top of a hill, there’s no special reason to choose it over Amherst.

OHMomof2
April 8, 2017, 3:19pm

8

Lol @circuitrider our Tufts tour spent a good fifteen minutes on that hill looking at that view, it was the grand finale where the tour guide took questions and ended the tour. I got my phone out and zoomed way in on the skyline and took a picture that was a great joke between me and my kid that summer.

We had fun on some of those tours

gardenstategal
April 8, 2017, 4:10pm

9

I think the biggest difference that might matter is the feeling of the community. While that may be the result of size and location, it’s what is most likely to influence how you feel about being there every day.

Most underclassmen at Tufts venture off campus infrequently. Upperclassmen tend to make much greater use of the city. I think the Amherst community may feel tighter and more cohesive as a result. To some, that clubbiness is a good thing. To others, not so much. You really need to decide which feels right for you.

ReallyOk
April 8, 2017, 4:27pm

10

The student bodies are similar. As noted, key differences are that Amherst is a small LAC in a charming town and Tufts is a mid-sized university with an LAC at its core in the suburbs of Boston. Both schools are very well regarded. 10 years ago, Amherst would have had an edge in overall prestige, but not anymore.

system

Closed

April 18, 2021, 10:27am

11

WHERE TO STUDY IN MASSACHUSETTS – Welcome to Massachusetts

Massachusetts is America’s alma mater, where a long tradition of education and outstanding academic achievement have led the way in education and positioned us to form a cluster of over 100 universities and colleges with which we and we invite you to get acquainted.

• Amherst College
• Tufts University
• Berklee College of Music
• Boston University
• Boston College
• Suffolk University
• Bentley University
• Harvard University
• MIT

Amherst College

Since its founding in 1821, Amherst College has become one of the country’s leading liberal arts schools. To him, as to much in Massachusetts, the word “first” is applicable. For example, it was here in 1859 that the first baseball game between college teams was held. And one of the first graduates of the college – Calvin Coolidge – became the 30th President of the United States.
Approximately 1,800 students enter the college each year. The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education calls Amherst College “the best of the best” when it comes to helping talented low-income students. They really care about student financial aid. About 60% of students receive assistance directly from the college (scholarship aid). The average amount of assistance in the 2013-2014 school year is $46,809 (full tuition with accommodation is $57,970).
Amherst offers undergraduate degrees in 38 majors in the social sciences, humanities, sciences, and arts. Students can study in more than one specialty, create their own interdisciplinary study plans.

https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/departments

Tufts University a

This private research institute was founded by Universalist Christians near Boston in 1852 as a religious college. However, for a century and a half, the university has established its place in the list of the best colleges in New England.
Today the university consists of nine faculties and colleges. These are the faculties of arts and sciences, engineering, veterinary, dental and others. Special attention is drawn to the school. Fletcher is the first in the country to begin training specialists in international relations, where future employees of the State Department are trained today.
In the 2014 U.S. University Rankings. News & World Report Tufts University is ranked 28th and 80th in the Times Higher Education Global Rankings (out of the top 200 global universities).

http://www.tufts.edu

Berklee College of Music

Founded in 1945 by Lawrence Burke, the largest contemporary music center in the United States. An MIT graduate engineer by training, he spent many years arranging music for radio orchestras on CBS and NBC radio stations. He wanted to teach musicians contemporary music and prepare them for practical careers in the music field.
The main specialization of the college is the latest non-academic musical directions, so it gained fame primarily as a school of jazz. The fact that the first degree of an honorary doctor in 1971 was awarded to Duke Ellington speaks about the love of this institution for jazz.
Today at Berkeley they study everything related to modern music and the music business. Many genres: jazz, rock, country, flamenco, electronic music, film dubbing and much more are learned by students from 96 countries. By 2013 99 Berkeley alumni have received 220 Grammy and Latin Grammy awards. Cultivating the musical ability of all students is the foundation of the college curriculum. Any of the 12 specialties can be chosen by each of the students. With 603 faculty members, the college is confident that Berklee will become a leading institution in the world of contemporary music.

http://www.berklee.edu

Boston University

One of the nation’s largest private colleges, Boston University was founded in 1839year. Among the many achievements of this university, it can be noted that the names of seven Nobel laureates and 35 Pulitzer Prize winners are associated with the university.
Today, there are 33,000 undergraduate and graduate students from over 140 countries and more than 4,000 faculty and staff on two campuses along the banks of the Charles River. The university system has 16 faculties and colleges with more than 250 programs of study. Among them are the faculties of medicine, dentistry and law.

Homepage

Boston College

A small private college, opened by the Jesuits in 1864, originally offered a seven-year program of study – a sort of symbiosis of high school and college. In the first year, the Catholics managed to recruit only 22 students, who were taught by three teachers. But with the expansion of the Irish and Italian communities in the state, the college grew in strength.
Today the college has 9,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students. It is the largest Catholic college in the country and offers its students a wide variety of programs across nine faculties and departments. It is not easy to enter here, which is quite natural: in 2012, The New York Times called the college the largest Catholic intellectual center in the country.

http://www.bc.edu/

Suffolk University

This university, founded in 1906, has become known as one of the largest law schools in the country. 70% of Massachusetts judges graduated from this institution.
However, today the university combines several completely different areas and specialties. Here is one of the best MBA programs in the country, ranked in the top 50 in the country. Humanities faculties are well developed.
An analytical report published in the Princeton Review names Suffolk University one of the best universities in the American Northeast. And there is every reason for this. There are 12 students for every teacher at the university, which ensures a high quality of education. More than 93% of full-time teachers have PhD degrees. Every year, 7,000 students enter the university, 800 of them come from 95 countries of the world.

https://www.suffolk.edu/

Bentley University

Bentley University opened in 1917 as a school of accounting and finance. In 1961, it switched to a four-year course of study and formally became a college – its students were awarded a bachelor’s degree upon graduation. In 2008, the school changed its name to the university. Today, Bentley is one of the leading business schools in the country. The university positions itself as a forge of leading personnel for business, leaders of the highest standard. Bentley University graduates have a unique combination of business technology knowledge and a broad liberal arts background. The corporate slogan of the university: “Business is an art.”
The University is proud of its alumni and faculty. 484 educators share their knowledge with 4157 students, 1405 graduate students and 40 doctoral students.

http://www.bentley.edu

Harvard University

Harvard University is the oldest in the United States. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Included in the group of elite American universities – the Ivy League. From year to year it occupies a leading position in the leading world and national rankings. Among the graduates of the university are eight US presidents, politicians, businessmen, prominent scientists, artists and many others. 2,400 teachers, some of them world-famous specialists, share their knowledge with 21,000 students. Harvard has 10 faculties and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. 360 thousand university graduates live and work in 190 countries of the world.

http://www.harvard.edu

MIT

MIT was founded in 1861 and has since become one of the most famous and respected universities in the world. This is confirmed by all sorts of rankings: 1st place out of the 200 best universities in the world in 2013 according to QS and 5th position (Times Higher Education top 200 world universities 2013 – 2014). MIT is more than 50 colleges, 4,500 undergraduate students (undergraduate students) and about 2,000 graduate students (graduate students), 450 student groups on campus, 33 university sports teams, students from all 50 states and 115 countries of the world, a unique teaching staff , and these are not just words: for example, Eric Lander (father of the Human Genome Project) teaches an introductory biology course. Here they teach to work in a team and collectively, provide students with unprecedented opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research as co-authors. You can even get a patent for an invention! Here, “disciplined curiosity, irreverent creativity, endless ability and perseverance” are brought to instinct.

http://www.mit.edu

MIT is bringing back testing for prospective students

03/31/2022 at 16:40

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MIT has announced that applicants must submit standardized SAT or ACT scores for admission in 2023.

Photo: Pixabay.

During the pandemic, many universities abandoned such requirements and are not going to return them yet. In 2020, the College Board said that millions of students were unable to take tests scheduled for spring 2020 due to quarantine restrictions and asked higher education administrators to be “flexible in the admissions process.” As lockdowns – and, as a result, online education in schools – were extended into the next school year in many states, it was decided to continue not to require tests for admission to universities until at least 2022 inclusive. However, many colleges are discussing the possibility of waiving test scores to reduce the stress on high school students.

For example, according to the non-profit educational organization FairTest, about 2,000 universities – almost 80% of colleges and universities – will not require ACT or SAT results from applicants entering this fall. Future students will be enrolled on the principle of “blind testing” or a lottery. Interestingly, this list includes almost all of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the country, and at least 1,400 institutions have already extended these rules for the fall of 2023. Among the universities that will not require ACT or SAT tests from applicants are well-known private institutions such as Amherst, Chicago, Columbia, Cornell, Stanford and Tufts. In addition, many public colleges in California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Oregon, and Washington use the same admission system. For comparison, just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemiconly 1,070 colleges had test scores that were optional for admission. FairTest CEO Bob Schaeffer predicts that the number of institutions refusing admission based on ACT/SAT results will only increase.

But MIT Dean of Admissions and Student Financial Services Stuart Schmill said, “After careful consideration, we have decided to reinstate the SAT/ACT requirement for prospective applicants. Our research has shown that, in most cases, we cannot reliably predict whether students will perform well at MIT unless test scores are taken into account, along with other factors. Some people believe that such standards prevent the admission of students from low-income families. But this is not true. Standardized tests help to identify academically prepared high school students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds who might not otherwise demonstrate their knowledge because they do not attend expensive schools, paid courses and are unlikely to be written by their teachers for lengthy letters of recommendation. In this way, standardized tests help curb educational inequality.”

Schmill also stressed that MIT’s findings are consistent with a major study by the UC Standardized Testing Task Force, which found that inclusion of SAT/ACT scores predicted prospective students’ performance better than if applicants were recruited based on their scores alone. school grades, and helps draw attention to smart and talented students from low-income families.