Amherst College Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Amherst College is a private university in Amherst, Massachusetts, enrolling about 1,911 students. Admission is highly selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 9.01% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $77,644 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $70,480
- 2024 Average Net Price: $23,367 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 9.01% Highly Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,911 100.0% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 93.90%
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
- First-Generation Students: 20.8%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 5.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 27.1% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 96.7%
- Average SAT Score: 1533
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,059
- Applicants (IPEDS): 12,727
- Room & Board: $18,390 annual estimate
Amherst College: what the data shows
Common questions about Amherst College, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Amherst College?
Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (ZIP 01002-5000).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is Amherst College public or private?
Amherst College is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Amherst College cost?
Published tuition: $70,480.
Average net price after aid: $23,367.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $1,086 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $1,570 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $17,478 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $23,639 |
| $110,001+ | $47,521 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $281,920.
How hard is it to get into Amherst College?
Admission rate: 9.01%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1533 and midpoint ACT 33.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Amherst College?
Total enrollment: 1,911 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,059 students.
About 100% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Amherst College?
150%-time completion rate: 93.90%.
First-year retention: 97.3%.
What do graduates of Amherst College earn?
Median earnings: $62,537 six years after entry; $77,644 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $13,740.
19.84% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Amherst College known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics (88 completions)
- Mathematics, General (81 completions)
- Computer Science (52 completions)
- Research and Experimental Psychology, Other (52 completions)
- English Language and Literature, General (35 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (34 completions)
- American/U.S. Law/Legal Studies/Jurisprudence (32 completions)
- Political Science and Government, General (30 completions)
- Neuroscience (25 completions)
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other (24 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Amherst College a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 9.01%; completion rate 93.90%; median earnings $77,644 at 10 years; net price $23,367. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$70,480
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Amherst College was $70,480.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$23,367
2024 Value
In 2024 Amherst College had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $23,367.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$93,468 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$23,367 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$281,920 4-Year Tuition
$18,390 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$88,870 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$355,480 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Amherst College.
Financial Aid by Income Level
19.84% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
8.38% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Amherst College was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Amherst College in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $46,574 | $46,574 | $19,449 |
| 2014 | $48,526 | $48,526 | $17,801 |
| 2015 | $50,562 | $50,562 | $18,848 |
| 2016 | $52,476 | $52,476 | $22,036 |
| 2017 | $54,310 | $54,310 | $22,463 |
| 2018 | $56,426 | $56,426 | $25,208 |
| 2019 | $58,640 | $58,640 | $18,524 |
| 2020 | $60,890 | $60,890 | $21,657 |
| 2021 | $61,150 | $61,150 | $17,304 |
| 2022 | $64,100 | $64,100 | $25,035 |
| 2023 | $67,280 | $67,280 | $18,246 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
9.01% Acceptance Rate
12,727 Total Applicants
1,250 Students Admitted
488 First-Time Students Enrolled
39.04% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution is extremely selective, accepting fewer than 1 in 10 applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1533
ACT Average: 33
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.9 - 4.0
Estimated Median GPA: 4.00
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Amherst College reported total enrollment of about 1,911 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 45% male and 55% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (36.4%), Asian (16.5%), and Hispanic or Latino (13.8%). About 19.84% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 20.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
100.0% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Amherst College in 2024 is 1,911 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 2,059 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
97.3%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 36.4%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
75.00% 100% Completion Time
93.90% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 75.00% of students graduating from Amherst College completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics: 62% male / 38% female
- Mathematics, General: 56% male / 44% female
- Computer Science: 75% male / 25% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Amherst College.
Return on Investment
$13,740 Median Student Debt
$77,644 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
17.70% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
730.70% Return on Investment
1.8 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Amherst College.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 41 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Econometrics and Quantitative Economics: 88 completions
2. Mathematics, General: 81 completions
3. Computer Science: 52 completions
4. Research and Experimental Psychology, Other: 52 completions
5. English Language and Literature, General: 35 completions
6. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 34 completions
7. American/U.S. Law/Legal Studies/Jurisprudence: 32 completions
8. Political Science and Government, General: 30 completions
9. Neuroscience: 25 completions
Most popular programs at Amherst College.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Amherst College graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Amherst College from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 96.7%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $15,606
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $36,411
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Amherst College is a private non-profit institution located in Amherst, MA, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Mathematics, General, Computer Science. Enrollment is approximately 1,911 students. Student body composition includes White (36.4%), Asian (16.5%), Hispanic or Latino (13.8%). It is highly selective, with an admission rate of 9.01%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1533. The 150%-time completion rate is 93.90%. Approximately 19.84% of students receive Pell Grants. About 20.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
Location
Amherst, MA 01002-5000
Region: New England
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 93.90% graduation rate, Amherst College demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Amherst College located?
Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA.
What is Amherst College's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Amherst College is 9.0% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 12,727 applicants and 1,250 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Amherst College cost?
Reported tuition is $70,480 and average net price is $23,367 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $18,390 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Amherst College?
Amherst College reports undergraduate enrollment of about 2,059 students, White (36.4%), Asian (16.5%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Amherst College?
About 20.8% of students at Amherst College are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Amherst College?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Amherst College reports midpoint SAT about 1533 and midpoint ACT about 33.
What do graduates of Amherst College earn?
Median earnings are $62,537 six years after entry and $77,644 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Amherst College?
The 150%-time completion rate is 93.9% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Amherst College students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $13,740.
Is Amherst College public or private?
Amherst College is a private nonprofit institution located in Amherst, MA.
Is Amherst College an HBCU?
No. Amherst College is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Amherst College a tribal college?
No. Amherst College is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Massachusetts college costs
- Massachusetts colleges by ROI
- Amherst, Massachusetts city profile
- New England regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Massachusetts
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.