Amherst College
Private nonprofit four-year college in Amherst, MA that costs an average of $19,536 a year after financial aid, admits 9.0% of applicants and graduates 93% of full-time students.
Private nonprofitSmall city1,911 undergraduates
Cost of Amherst College
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $90,670 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $73,830 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $19,260 |
| Books and supplies | $0 |
| Average net price after aid | $19,536 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $2,424 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $3,063 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $13,814 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $17,999 |
| $110,001+ | $49,700 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with Amherst College's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 9.0% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,533 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 740–780 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 750–800 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 33–35 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 93% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 97% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $83,643 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $95,161 |
| Rank in Massachusetts (earnings) | 14th of 65 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $13,250 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $151 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 25% |
| Students with federal loans | 11% |
Majors and programs at Amherst College
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (34)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 107 | $116,660 | — |
| Economics | 157 | $109,806 | $19,500 |
| Mathematics | 162 | $76,249 | $12,000 |
| Political Science and Government | 71 | $61,098 | — |
| History | 51 | $54,456 | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 50 | $46,938 | — |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 42 | $45,912 | — |
| Area Studies | 33 | $44,715 | — |
| English Language and Literature | 60 | $41,040 | — |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 118 | $39,597 | $11,500 |
| Biology | 57 | $37,129 | — |
| Anthropology | 13 | — | — |
| Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation | 14 | — | — |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | 11 | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 61 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 36 | — | — |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 8 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 14 | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 31 | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 12 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 27 | — | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 18 | — | — |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 7 | — | — |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | 55 | — | — |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 6 | — | — |
| Music | 22 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 32 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 27 | — | — |
| Physics | 40 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 10 | — | — |
| Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 8 | — | — |
| Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education | 20 | — | — |
| Sociology | 19 | — | — |
| Statistics | 34 | — | — |
Similar colleges in Massachusetts
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emmanuel College | Boston | $27,196 | 76% | $73,794 |
| Curry College | Milton | $30,155 | 88% | $69,321 |
| Wheaton College (Massachusetts) | Norton | $31,147 | 68% | $71,967 |
| Williams College | Williamstown | $15,157 | 8.3% | $95,954 |
| Springfield College | Springfield | $28,053 | 72% | $59,623 |
| Mount Holyoke College | South Hadley | $30,861 | 36% | $66,117 |
| Simmons University | Boston | $23,444 | 70% | $79,784 |
| Assumption University | Worcester | $28,788 | 83% | $73,712 |
About Amherst College
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year college |
|---|---|
| Location | Amherst, MA |
| Setting | Small city |
| Undergraduates | 1,911 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 6 to 1 |
| Accreditor | New England Commission on Higher Education |
| Website | amherst.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is Amherst College's acceptance rate?
Amherst College admits 9.0% of applicants, making it highly selective. Admitted students average 1,533 on the SAT.
How much does Amherst College cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $90,670 a year (tuition and fees: $73,830). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $19,536 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $2,424.
How much do Amherst College graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $95,161 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 14th of 65 similar colleges in Massachusetts. The best-paid bachelor's program is computer science ($116,660 a year after graduation).
What is Amherst College's graduation rate?
93% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 97% of first-year students return for a second year.