Overview
Amherst College is a highly selective private liberal arts college in Amherst, Massachusetts, that was founded in 1821. As a member of the Five College Consortium that has replaced student loans with grants on their financial aid plans, Amherst is need-blind both domestically and internationally. The college offers 40 undergraduate programs that feature open core curriculums, which means there are no distribution requirements or core curriculums. The campus is home to the Beneski Museum of Natural Science which houses America's first confirmed evidence of a dinosaur, as well as a 500-acre Wildlife Sanctuary.
Acceptance Rate:
9%
Average Net Price:
$18,832
Campus Setting:
Small city
Average GPA
4.0
Average ACT Composite
33
Average SAT Composite
1431
Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability & Cost
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $67,280 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $67,280 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $17,560 |
| Books and Supplies | $1000 |
Aid & Grants
0
100
100%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
24%
Average Aid Per Year
$58,693
24%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$6,109
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$57,320
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
12%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$9,293
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$10,647
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$129
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Private
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Blind
This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Small city
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Test Optional
Yes
Important Deadlines
Admitted Student Stats
21%
Submitting ACT
40%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 33
Average SAT Composite: 1431
Admissions Resources
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Bachelor's
Total Number of Students
1,914
Total Number of Undergrads
1,914
0
100
85%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
95%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
7:1
US National: 21:1Degrees and Majors
MAJORS
42
Faculty Overview
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Residency
Housing
0
100
98%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Mammoths
School Colors
purple and white
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
New England Small College Ath Conf
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$83,300
REVIEWS
Read What Students Are SayingI love my classes. Our class sizes are REALLY small. My class sizes range from 8-25 students. Professors put you on the spot and ask you if you're sick if you missed class, and they know you by name the second day of class. We're reading original source scientific documents when studying genetics.
Anonymous from CA
The teachers take a great investment in your education. I am able to meet with them whenever I need extra help. They make time for students and have set office hours. Where the teachers, not the TAs assist you. The small college feel fosters an environment where students strive to excel, yet are not highly competitive against each other. Most students about worry their own grades as opposed to others.
Justin From New York, NY
The thing I love most about Amherst is the relationships you can have with your professors. You hear about professors at small liberal arts colleges who go out of their way to help students, and form personal relationships with them, but you never quite believe them. Well, here you should believe them. I've had professors have me over to dinner, I've had professors offer to skype me from South Africa to help me with my papers, I've babysat for my professors, and I've had professors drive home and back again to get a book for me that they thought I might enjoy on a subject related to class material. The professors are an amazing resource if you reach out to them. They really want you to succeed, and care about you as a person as a whole. In addition, the personal attention ensures that you are pushed to do your best work. But the professors know you and mainly grade you according to their expectations for you personally. They hold you accountable, as well. If you are sick or miss a class, professors notice. Overall, I find it is an amazingly supportive atmosphere that allows for creative exploration and personal growth while also offering so many different areas of study. One of the classes I took last year is called Witches, Vampires and Other Monsters (it's an art history course and is amazing) - look it up on the website!
Drew from North Easton, MA
You learn more about the world and yourself than you can possible imagine. Intellectual diversity and curiosity are cornerstones of Amherst and are ingrained into every aspect of daily life. It's a college that both allows and trusts you to be self-motivated and take as much as you can from the amazing resources and faculty at your disposal.
NQS from New York
Amherst has great academics, if you can focus. The no-requirements curriculum can be your undoing if you're not a very self-controlled student.
Kaya
Amherst is a one-of-a-kind place and I could not picture myself anywhere else. Of course there are ups and downs as anywhere else, but I guarantee you will fall in love with this place once you settle in.
Ornella from Amherst, MA
