Academic Comparison between Amherst and Westfield State

Amherst College and Westfield State University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Amherst is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Amherst, MA and Westfield State is a four-year, public school located in Westfield, MA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Amherst is a private (not-for-profit) and Westfield State is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Amherst has more expensive tuition & fees ($70,480) than Westfield State ($18,259).
  • It is harder to admit to Amherst than Westfield State.
  • Westfield State has more students with 4,588 students while Amherst has 1,914 students.
  • Amherst has a lower number of students per faculty with 6 to 1 while Westfield State's ratio is 17 to 1.
  • Amherst has more full-time faculties with 282 faculties while Westfield State has 196 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Amherst Collegevs.Westfield State University
Amherst, MassachusettsLocationWestfield, Massachusetts
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$70,4802025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$12,179
Out-Of-State$18,259
62%% Receiving Financial Aid62%
$67,234Average Amount of Financial Aid$9,220
9.01 %Acceptance Rates81.41 %
38.77 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)15.16 %
1,540SAT Score-
34ACT Score-
94 %Graduation Rate54 %
3 %Transfer-out Rate29 %
97 %Retention Rate74 %
1,914Student Population4,588
282Number of Faculties196
6 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio17 to 1
ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services