Amherst College

Overview
Amherst College is a private liberal arts college established in 1821. As of fall 2023, it has an undergraduate enrollment of 1,910 students and a sprawling 1,000-acre campus. The college follows a semester-based academic schedule. In the 2025 rankings of Best Colleges, Amherst holds the #2 spot among National Liberal Arts Colleges. Tuition and fees for the academic year come to $70,480.

At-a-Glance

• Setting: N/A
• Tuition & Fees: $70,480
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,910
• Acceptance Rate: 10%

Amherst College Admissions
Getting into Amherst is highly competitive, with a 10% acceptance rate. Among admitted students who submitted test scores, half had SAT scores between 1360 and 1550 or ACT scores between 31 and 35. That said, 25% of admitted applicants scored above this range, while another 25% scored below. The application deadline is January 3.

Amherst’s admissions team places a lot of weight on a student’s GPA. High school class rank (if available) also matters, and letters of recommendation are extremely important. For more details on academic factors and other admissions data, check out College Compass.

Amherst College Admissions Stats

• Application Deadline: Jan. 3
• Application Fee: $75
• Acceptance Rate: 10%

Amherst College Tuition & Financial Aid
At $70,480 per year, Amherst’s tuition is higher than the national average of $51,147. This “sticker price” includes both tuition and fees, which cover things like library access, gym facilities, tech resources, and health services.

When comparing costs, don’t just look at tuition—consider the total cost (including housing, food, books, and personal expenses), which at Amherst is $87,640. However, after financial aid and scholarships, the average net price drops to $19,589 for students receiving need-based aid.

Amherst College Tuition & Expenses (2024-25)

• Tuition and Fees: $70,480
• Net Price for Federal Loan Recipients (2021-2022): $25,035
• Net Price by Family Income (2021-2022):
  • $0-$30,000: $7,895
  • $30,001-$48,000: $11,119
  • $48,001-$75,000: $16,409
  • $75,001-$110,000: $21,178
  • $110,001+: $50,853
• Food and Housing: $18,390

Amherst College Academics
With a student-faculty ratio of 7:1, Amherst ensures close interaction between students and professors. Over 65% of classes have fewer than 20 students. Popular majors include:

• Mathematics (12%)
• Economics (10%)
• Psychology (9%)
• Computer Science (8%)
• Political Science (6%)
  …and others like Biochemistry, History, English, Legal Studies, and Biology.

The freshman retention rate—a key measure of student satisfaction—is an impressive 95%.

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Amherst College Student Life
The undergraduate student body (fall 2023) is made up of 45.2% men and 52.9% women. Nearly all students (97%) live on campus in college-owned housing, while just 3% live off-campus. In athletics, Amherst competes in NCAA Division III.

Amherst College Student Life Stats

• Total Enrollment: 1,910 (fall 2023)
• Live On-Campus: 97%
• Athletic Association: NCAA III

Amherst College Campus
Student services include tutoring, a women’s center, career placement, health services, and insurance. Campus security features 24/7 patrols (on foot and by vehicle), late-night escorts, emergency phones, well-lit pathways, student patrols, and secure dorm access. Students of legal age are allowed to consume alcohol on campus.