College Search
Amherst College

Amherst College

Amherst, MA · City · 1,911 students
4
Year
Private Non-profit
City
Small (<3k)
Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education
About

Amherst College, a prestigious liberal arts institution in Amherst, Massachusetts, is highly regarded for its rigorous undergraduate education and premier programs in economics, English, mathematics, and the natural sciences. What truly sets Amherst apart is its completely Open Curriculum, which empowers students to design their own course of study without any general education requirements, alongside its membership in the Five College Consortium, which vastly expands academic and social opportunities across four nearby campuses. The student experience is characterized by a collaborative, intellectually curious campus culture where a diverse student body engages in close research with faculty and participates in a vibrant residential community.


Wikipedia:Amherst College is a private liberal arts college in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1821 as an attempt to relocate Williams College by its then-president Zephaniah Swift Moore, Amherst is the third oldest institution of higher education in Massachusetts. The institution was named after the town, which in turn had been named after Jeffery, Lord Amherst, Commander-in-Chief of British forces of North America during the French and Indian War. Originally established as a men's college, Amherst became coeducational in 1975.

Location
Amherst, MA, 01002-5000 · City campus
Nearest airport from college
BDL · Hartford/Springfield
31 mi away
Cost
Cost of attendance
$87,640
Avg net price
$23,367
Room & board
$18,390
Tuition
$70,480
Books & supplies
$0/yr
Average net price by family income
$0–30k
$1,086
$30–48k
$1,570
$48–75k
$17,478
$75–110k
$23,639
$110k+
$47,521
Admissions
Admit rate
9%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1533
Reading 740780
Math 750800
ACT midpoint
33
Composite 3335
English 3436
Math 3235
SAT range (25th–75th percentile)
40080012001600

Wondering if Amherst College is the right fit for you?

Scout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Essay Requirements

Amherst College accepts the Common Application. All Common App schools require the personal statement essay. Some schools also require supplemental essays — check the school's page on Common App for current prompts and word limits.

See the current Common App essay prompts for the personal statement options.

Outcomes
Graduation rate
94%
4-yr on-time completion
75%
1st-yr retention
97%
Transfer-out rate
3%
8-year outcomes
Graduated
93%
Transferred
4%
Still enrolled
0%
Dropped out / unknown
2%
Median earnings (6yr)
$62,537
Median earnings (10yr)
$77,644
Median debt
$13,740
Monthly loan payment
$146
Debt range (25th–75th)
$5,500$19,500
Debt (90th percentile)
$25,500
Student Body
Men 45%Women 55%
6
:
1
Student : Faculty ratio
Students   Faculty
Pell grant recipients
20%
First-generation
21%
Median family income
$42,053
Independent students
4%
Avg age at entry
19.0
Part-time students
0%
Race & ethnicity
White
36%
Hispanic
14%
Black
9%
Asian
16%
Two or more
9%
Non-resident
13%
Unknown
2%
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings for graduates across all programs
6 years after entry
$62,537
10 years after entry
$77,644
Mathematics81
Economics69
Research and Experimental Psychology66
Computer Science55
Political Science and Government41
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology37
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics30
History28
English Language and Literature, General25
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies23
Biology, General23
Area Studies20
Natural Resources Conservation and Research17
Neurobiology and Neurosciences17
Philosophy16
Physics16
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Endowment
$3.5B
Classification
Baccalaureate (Arts & Sciences)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions
Full-time faculty
97%
Avg faculty salary
$15,606/mo
Instructional spend/student
$36,411
Federal loan rate
8%

Wondering if Amherst College is the right fit for you?

Scout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Get your college list →See a sample report first