Amherst College
About Amherst College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Amherst College is a private liberal arts college in Amherst, Massachusetts, part of the Five College Consortium. One of the most selective colleges in the nation with a 7% acceptance rate, it offers an open curriculum with no distribution requirements, and a 92% graduation rate.
Founded
1821
Location
Amherst, Massachusetts
Students
1,911
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
9%
Highly selective
Graduation Rate
93.9%
Above national average
Tuition
$70,480
Per year
Avg Net Price
$23,367
After financial aid
SAT Average
1533
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$77,644
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Most Selective
Only 9 out of 100 applicants are accepted
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Optional
Application Fee
$65
Early
Nov 9
Regular
Jan 5
With a 9% acceptance rate and an average SAT of 1533, Amherst College is among the most selective schools in the country. Every part of your application needs to stand out.
SAT Scores
1533/ 1600
ACT Scores
33/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Excellent
93.9% complete their degree within six years
Retention
97.3%
4-Year Grad
87%
6-Year Grad
92%
Teaching Quality
7:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
96.7%
$/Student
$36.4K
Class Size
Small
87% of students graduate on time, and with a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio, it's clear students get the personal attention they need to succeed.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$70,480
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$18,390
Books & Supplies
$0
Total Cost of Attendance
$87,640
After Financial Aid
$23,367
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$1,086
Receive Grants
19.8%
Take Loans
8.4%
Don't let the $70,480 sticker price scare you. Most students pay around $23,367 after financial aid, a 67% discount. Families earning under $30K pay closer to $1,086.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Amherst College fund their education.
While in School
19.8%
Get Grants
Free money
8.4%
Take Loans
Must repay
$42,053
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$13,740
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$146/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $13,740, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Amherst College.
Gender
55%
Female
45%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
1,911
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
20.8%
First-Gen
19 yrs
Avg Age
1.1%
Age 25+
Men make up the majority at 45% of the student body. 20.8% are first-generation college students. 13.1% international students bring global perspectives to campus life.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Small
Campus Quick Facts
1,911
Students
private
Institution
Small
Campus Size
Liberal Arts
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
No
Online Programs
No
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Amherst College fields 16 varsity teams with 798 student athletes, about 42% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division III with football
Conference
NESCAC
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
16
Biggest: Track and Field (Indoor)
Student Athletes
798
42% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
55% / 45%
442
Men
356
Women
13
Men's Teams
14
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Amherst Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$77,644
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Mathematics
$79K
81 grads
1yr Earnings
Economics
$91K
69 grads
1yr Earnings
Research and Experimental Psychology
$46K
66 grads
1yr Earnings
Computer Science
$101K
55 grads
1yr Earnings
Political Science and Government
$61K
41 grads
1yr Earnings
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
—
37 grads
Earnings grow steadily here: $63K at six years, $65K at eight, and $78K by ten. Well above average at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Amherst College
What is the acceptance rate at Amherst College?▾
How much does Amherst College cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Amherst College?▾
How much do Amherst College graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.