Amherst College
Amherst, MA · Small city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 9.0%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 12,727
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 1,250
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 488
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 39%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 10%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 10.0%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 740–780
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 750–800
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 33–35
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 38% / 17%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- considered
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- considered
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- not considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $87,640
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $70,480
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $70,480
- Median debt at graduation
- $13,740
- Students with federal loans
- 8.4%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 94%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 97%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $47,401
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $77,644
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 1,911
- Graduate students
- —
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 6 : 1
- Women
- 55%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 20%
- Full-time faculty
- 97%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Michael Elliott
- Main phone
- (413) 542-2000
- Address
- Boltwood Avenue, Amherst, MA 01002-5000
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 9 | early-to-mid December |
| Regular Decision | January 5 | late March |
- Apply with
- Common App, Coalition/Scoir, QuestBridge
- Application fee
- $75 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Essays
- Writing supplement: choose 1 of 3 options (Option A essay up to 350 words)
- Recommendations
- 1 counselor + 2 teachers
Testing: Optional; self-reported scores accepted; superscores
Financial aid policies
- Need-blind for U.S. applicants
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need
- No-loan financial aid
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Merit scholarships: No merit scholarships
- Need-blind for international applicants too
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Early Decision admit rate
- 22.2% (216 of 971)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 1,294 / 740 / 44
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: amherst.edu, amherst.edu, amherst.edu, amherst.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.