Tufts vs amherst. Comparing Amherst College and Tufts University: A Comprehensive 2023 Guide

How do Amherst College and Tufts University compare in terms of admissions, costs, and student life. What are the key differences between these two prestigious institutions. Which school might be a better fit for you based on various factors.

Admissions: Comparing Acceptance Rates and Requirements

When it comes to admissions, both Amherst College and Tufts University are highly selective institutions. 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 for all applicants.

The average SAT score ranges are quite similar:

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

Beyond test scores, both schools look for well-rounded applicants with strong academic records, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities that align with their institutional values. To truly assess your chances of admission, it’s important to consider your entire application profile rather than focusing solely on acceptance rates or test score ranges.

Costs and Financial Aid: Breaking Down the Numbers

Understanding the financial aspects of attending college is crucial. Here’s how Amherst and Tufts compare in terms of costs and financial aid:

• In-state Tuition:
  • Amherst: $50,562
  • Tufts: $50,604
• Net Price:
  • Amherst: $18,848
  • Tufts: $29,565
• Average Financial Aid:
  • Amherst: $47,490
  • Tufts: $37,030

At first glance, Amherst appears to be the more affordable option with a lower net price and higher average financial aid package. However, it’s essential to consider that living costs in Amherst, MA, and Medford, MA (where Tufts is located) may differ significantly. These differences in cost of living could impact your overall expenses beyond just tuition and fees.

Campus Size and Student Body Demographics

The size and composition of the student body can greatly influence your college experience. Here’s how Amherst and Tufts compare:

Total Undergraduates:

• Amherst: 1,795
• Tufts: 5,236

Tufts has a significantly larger undergraduate population, which may offer more diverse social opportunities and a wider range of academic programs. Amherst, with its smaller size, might provide a more intimate learning environment and closer relationships with professors and peers.

Student Body Demographics:

Amherst appears to have a more diverse student body, particularly in terms of Hispanic and Black student populations. This diversity can enrich the campus culture and provide varied perspectives in academic and social settings.

Location and Campus Environment: Urban vs. Suburban Setting

The location of your college can significantly impact your overall experience. Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA, which is characterized as a large suburb. Tufts University is situated in Medford, MA, which is closer to the Boston metropolitan area.

What are the implications of these different settings?

• Amherst: Being in a large suburb might offer a balance between a close-knit community feel and access to some urban amenities. The surrounding area is known for its scenic beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities.
• Tufts: Its proximity to Boston provides students with easy access to a major city’s cultural, professional, and entertainment offerings. This could be particularly beneficial for internships and networking opportunities.

Consider your preferences for campus environment and surrounding community when choosing between these two options. Do you thrive in a more contained college town atmosphere, or do you prefer the excitement and opportunities of a nearby major city?

Academic Programs and Strengths: Exploring Your Options

While both Amherst and Tufts are renowned for their academic excellence, they have different strengths and focuses:

Amherst College:

• Known for its strong liberal arts curriculum
• Offers open curriculum allowing students to design their own course of study
• Particularly strong in fields like English, Political Science, and Economics
• Part of the Five College Consortium, providing access to additional resources and courses

Tufts University:

• Offers a wider range of programs, including engineering and pre-professional tracks
• Strong programs in International Relations, Biology, and Computer Science
• Known for its interdisciplinary approach and research opportunities
• School of Engineering provides ABET-accredited programs

How do these academic offerings align with your interests and career goals? Consider the specific programs and academic philosophies of each institution when making your decision.

Student Life and Extracurricular Activities: Beyond the Classroom

College life extends far beyond academics. Let’s explore the differences in student life between Amherst and Tufts:

Amherst College:

• Strong focus on community engagement and social responsibility
• Active student government and numerous clubs and organizations
• Emphasis on outdoor activities and environmental initiatives
• Division III athletics with strong school spirit

Tufts University:

• Diverse range of student organizations catering to various interests
• Active Greek life presence on campus
• Strong focus on global engagement and study abroad programs
• Division III athletics with a competitive atmosphere

What type of extracurricular involvement are you looking for? Do you prefer a more tight-knit community feel or a larger, more diverse range of options? Consider how each school’s student life aligns with your personal interests and goals.

Career Outcomes and Alumni Networks: Planning for the Future

While immediate college experience is important, it’s also crucial to consider long-term outcomes. Both Amherst and Tufts have strong reputations and impressive alumni networks, but there are some differences:

Amherst College:

• Strong placement rates for graduate and professional schools
• Extensive alumni network in fields like law, academia, and public service
• Career center focused on individualized guidance and liberal arts skill translation

Tufts University:

• Wide range of career outcomes across various industries
• Strong connections in fields like medicine, engineering, and international affairs
• Career center offering industry-specific guidance and extensive internship programs

How do these career outcomes and alumni networks align with your professional aspirations? Consider the industries and fields where each school has particularly strong connections and how that might benefit your future career path.

Amherst vs. Tufts University 2023

Amherst College chances calculator

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

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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.