Amherst College is a private nonprofit 4-year college in Amherst, Massachusetts with 1,911 undergraduates. It admits 9% of applicants, costs an average of $19,536 a year after grants and graduates 93% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Amherst College acceptance rate and admissions
Amherst College admitted 9% of applicants for fall 2024, about 1 in 11. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Considered but not required (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
The colored band is the middle 50% of enrolled students in fall 2024 (reading and writing 740 to 780, math 750 to 800). The tick marks the typical 4-year college. Check how your scores fit.
Amherst College application deadlines 2026-27
| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Early decision | Nov 9, 2026 |
| Regular decision | Jan 5, 2027 |
Next deadline: Early decision, Nov 9, 2026. Application fee through the Common App: $75 for U.S. applicants. Confirm dates on Amherst College’s admissions page; see every college on the deadline calendar.
Source: Common App 2026-27 first-year deadlines, fees and requirements grid, updated Sep 25, 2026.
Amherst College tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees (2025-26) | $73,830 |
|---|---|
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $19,260 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $90,670 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $19,536 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $19,536 a year after grants and scholarships, $71,134 less than the full cost of attendance.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run Amherst College's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Amherst College graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 93% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $95,161 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $13,250 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 14% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Amherst College majors and what graduates earn
Amherst College awarded bachelor's degrees in 34 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from computer science ($142,680).
All 34 majors at Amherst College
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer science | 52 | $116,660 | $142,680 | n/a |
| Economics | 88 | $109,806 | $141,730 | $19,500 |
| Mathematics | 81 | $76,249 | $124,324 | $12,000 |
| History | 23 | $54,456 | $103,601 | n/a |
| Research and experimental psychology | 52 | $39,597 | $69,204 | $11,500 |
| Area Studies | 13 | $44,715 | $68,618 | n/a |
| English | 35 | $41,040 | $65,195 | n/a |
| Political science | 30 | $61,098 | $63,754 | n/a |
| Romance languages | 20 | $46,938 | $60,212 | n/a |
| Biology | 34 | $37,129 | n/a | n/a |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | 32 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Neuroscience | 25 | $45,912 | n/a | n/a |
| Biochemistry and molecular biology | 24 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Physics | 24 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Chemistry | 21 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Statistics | 19 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 18 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Fine and studio arts | 17 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Environmental science | 15 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Philosophy | 11 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Sociology | 11 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Religious studies | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Geology and earth sciences | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Music | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Astronomy | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Film and photography | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Anthropology | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Interdisciplinary studies, other | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Theater | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Architectural history | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Students and location
- 1,911 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 55% women, 45% men
- 6 students for every faculty member
- Setting: small city
- Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Amherst College?
Amherst College admitted 9% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does Amherst College cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $73,830. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $19,536 a year in 2024-25.
What SAT score do you need for Amherst College?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 740 to 780 in reading and writing and 750 to 800 in math, and 33 to 35 on the ACT. Scores inside these ranges are typical for admitted students.
Is Amherst College test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, Amherst College reported that test scores were: considered but not required. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at Amherst College?
93% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do Amherst College graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $95,161 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in Massachusetts · Amherst College on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.