Amherst College
Amherst, Massachusetts 01002-5000
Data last updated: August 29, 2026
Among the most selective in the Northeast — strong graduate outcomes
Amherst College is a private institution in Amherst with particular strength in biology and computer science. With an average SAT of 1494, the school attracts a competitive applicant pool.
A small campus of 1.9K undergraduates with a 7:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
93% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $77,644 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $18,246.
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports — Mammoths
History & Fun Facts
- •Founded in 1821, developed from Amherst Academy (established as a secondary school).
- •One of the oldest collegiate athletics programs in the country — 76 NCAA Division III individual titles and 11 team championships.
- •Adopted the open curriculum in 1947, one of the earliest colleges to do so.
- •Changed mascot from Lord Jeffs to Mammoths in 2017.
- •Member of the Little Three (Amherst, Williams, Wesleyan) and the Five College Consortium.
Source: Wikipedia
Notable Alumni
Jeffrey Wright '87
Academy Award-nominated actor (American Fiction, Westworld)
P. Gabrielle Foreman '86
MacArthur Fellow (2022), founding director of the Colored Conventions Project
Calvin Coolidge, Class of 1895
30th President of the United States
David Foster Wallace '85
Acclaimed novelist and essayist (Infinite Jest)
Prince Steuart '44
Pioneer civil rights activist
Joseph Stiglitz
Nobel laureate in Economics
Dan Brown '86
Bestselling author (The Da Vinci Code)
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Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1494
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Admissions
Application Platforms
Early Decision (Binding)
November 7
Decision by mid-December
Aid deadline: November 14
Regular Decision
January 5
Decision by late March
Reply by May 1
SAT/ACT optional; self-reported or official scores accepted. Superscore policy for SAT and ACT.
Amherst College Writing Supplement required with the application.
Deadline Calendar
Typical Application Requirements
Decision Notifications
Transfer Admission
Fall Transfer
March 2
Decision by mid-April
Spring Transfer
November 3
Decision by mid-December
Need-blind for transfer applicants. Full financial need met.
International Students
English Proficiency Requirements
Waived if last 2 years of secondary education conducted in English, or native English speaker.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Financial Aid
Financial aid offers include only grants, scholarships, and student employment — no required loans. 80% of Class of 2024 graduated with zero student loan debt.
Textbooks: ACTS (Amherst College Textbook Solution) provides all enrolled students with required course materials each semester at no cost.
Need-blind for all applicants: domestic, international, and undocumented.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
91.0%
Avg Tuition Increase
4.5%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$12,000
Academics
No distribution requirements, no core curriculum. Students choose courses freely. Only requirement: one first-year seminar and courses for declared major.
Research: Students work side-by-side with professors. Paid and unpaid opportunities during the school year and summer. Funding available for senior theses.
Thesis: Many seniors undertake honors theses — often equivalent of graduate-level work — as a major paper, scientific investigation, or creative work.
View all 42 majors›
Five College Consortium
Students can choose among 6,000+ courses at consortium schools, participate in clubs and extracurriculars, and use shared bus transportation. All schools are within a 10-mile radius.
Programs (36)
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
After Graduation
Top Fulbright producer among B.A.-granting institutions consistently since 2008-09. 12 Fulbrights in the Class of 2024.
Top Employers
Top Graduate Schools
Top Industries
94% employed, continuing education, pursuing a fellowship, volunteering, or serving in the military within 6 months of graduation.
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
97%
Campus Life
Oldest collegiate athletics program in the country.
Housing & Residential Life
Housing Styles
First-year quad, right in the heart of campus, in new or renovated residences.
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors can live in theme houses centered on shared interests (e.g., Newport is the Spanish Language House).
Dining
Food sourced from local farms, including the college's own Book & Plow Farm and hydroponic greenhouse.
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
15
Peer Average
13
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus security, emergency notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Estimated from MA state average + city premium
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Getting Around
Consortium bus
Free bus service connecting all Five College Consortium schools.
Amtrak
Amherst station on the Connecticut River line; also accessible from Springfield, MA (30 min drive).
Walkability
1,000-acre campus adjacent to vibrant downtown Amherst; most campus amenities within walking distance.
Visit Planning
Nearby Hotels
Plan Your Visit
Admission Office
220 South Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002
Monday–Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm
Sat: Selected Saturdays (Aug–Nov), 9:15am–2:15pm
Sun: 11:15am–2:15pm
1-hour information session with an admission dean followed by 1-hour student-led campus tour. Arrive 15 minutes early.
Parking information›
Visitor spaces in front of and behind Admission building; semicircular driveway between Orr Hockey Rink and South Pleasant St; Orr Hockey Rink lot; Hitchcock Road; overflow at Alumni House lot (10-min walk). Parking tickets issued on campus can be voided at Admission reception.
Groups of 10+ must submit a group visit form.
Self-guided tour maps available at the Admission Office.
Nearby Attractions
Emily Dickinson Museumwalkable
Birthplace and home of poet Emily Dickinson, walking distance from campus.
Amherst Cinemawalkable
Independent nonprofit arts and education center, reopened 2006.
The Drakewalkable
Performing arts venue in downtown Amherst, reopened 2022. Amherst College donated funds and a Steinway piano.
Antonio's Pizzawalkable
Famous for extra-large gourmet slices (try the avocado quesadilla).
Amherst Bookswalkable
Independent bookstore with new and used books, signings, and readings.
Amherst Coffeewalkable
Specialty coffee by day, craft cocktail bar by evening. Popular study spot.
Laughing Dog Bicycleswalkable
Bike shop selling and renting bikes since 1984.
Bueno Y Sanowalkable
Popular Mexican restaurant — Salvadorian burritos, tacos, and quesadillas.
Days out including Amherst College
NewTwo or three colleges in one day, built from real bookable tour times.
See all days out →