Amherst College
Amherst College is a private liberal arts college in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1821 as an attempt to relocate Williams College by its then-president Zephaniah Swift Moore, Amherst is the third oldest institution of higher education in Massachusetts. The institution was named after the town, which in turn had been named after Jeffery, Lord Amherst, Commander-in-Chief of British forces of North America during the French and Indian War. Originally established as a men's college, Amherst became coeducational in 1975.
At a glance
- Acceptance rate: 9%
- Average net price: $23,367
- Undergraduate enrollment: 2,049
- Graduation rate (150%): 94%
- Graduation rate (200%): 94%
- 8-year Outcome Measures award rate: 92%
- Student to faculty ratio: 6:1
- Median earnings (10 years): $77,644
- Median earnings (8 years): $86,438
- Median earnings (6 years): $62,537
- Control: Private nonprofit
- Locale: City, small
- Calendar: Semester
- City: Amherst, MA
Majors and programs
The most common programs at Amherst College include Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Computer Science, Mathematics.
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics (78 bachelor's) · median earnings $141,730 4 years after graduation · median debt $16,662
- Computer Science (48 bachelor's) · median earnings $142,680 4 years after graduation · median debt $16,750
- Mathematics (35 bachelor's) · median earnings $124,324 4 years after graduation · median debt $13,900
- Biology (33 bachelor's) · median earnings $38,387 1 year after graduation
- English (26 bachelor's) · median earnings $65,195 4 years after graduation
- Research and Experimental Psychology, Other (26 bachelor's) · median earnings $69,204 4 years after graduation · median debt $10,800
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other (24 bachelor's) · median earnings $38,387 1 year after graduation
- American (23 bachelor's)
- Neuroscience (20 bachelor's) · median earnings $38,387 1 year after graduation
- Chemistry (20 bachelor's)
Degree mix: Computer Science 32%, Biological Sciences 51%, Psychology 17%.
Award levels offered: Bachelor's.
Cost
Amherst College students from families earning $0 to $30,000 pay about $1,888 a year after aid.
- Net price, $0 to $30,000: $1,888
- Net price, $30,001 to $48,000: $1,868
- Net price, $48,001 to $75,000: $6,112
- Net price, $75,001 to $110,000: $20,179
- Net price, $110,001 and above: $50,358
- In-state tuition and fees: $70,480
- Out-of-state tuition and fees: $70,480
- Books and supplies: $0
- On-campus room and board: $18,390
- Off-campus room and board: $18,390
- Off-campus with family: $1,800
- Typical cost of attendance: $88,870
- Sticker vs net gap: 74%
- Students receiving any aid: 100%
- Pell Grant recipients: 20%
- Federal loan recipients: 8%
- Average institutional grant: $66,598
- Average federal loan: $5,397
- Median debt at graduation: $13,740
Admissions
Amherst College admits 9% of applicants. Of students admitted, 39% enrolled.
- Applications: 13,743
- Admitted: 1,238
- Enrolled: 480
- Yield (first-choice signal): 39%
Who actually goes here
- Undergraduates: 2,049
- Women: 54%
- Commuter share (estimated): 6%
- Part-time undergraduates: 0%
- Age 25 and older: 1%
- Graduation rate: 94%
- Come back after freshman year: 97%
- First-generation: 21%
Faculty and campus
- Full-time faculty: 53%
- Student to faculty: 6:1
- Professor salary: $185,533
- Associate professor salary: $137,482
- Assistant professor salary: $101,941
- On-campus housing capacity: 1,932
- Meal plan meals per week: 21
- Average SAT: 1,540
- Average ACT: 34
- Study abroad: Available
- Online programs: Not available
Common questions
What is the Amherst College acceptance rate? Amherst College admits 9% of applicants, based on the latest IPEDS admissions file.
How much does Amherst College cost? Students from families earning $0 to $30,000 pay about $1,888 a year after aid. Average net price is $23,367.
What majors does Amherst College offer? Popular programs include Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Biology, English.
What is the average salary after Amherst College? Median earnings 10 years after entry are $77,644 for Title IV aid recipients in College Scorecard.
What is the Amherst College graduation rate? In the IPEDS Outcome Measures cohort, 92% earned an award within eight years. The first-time, full-time 150% graduation rate is 94%.
Scorecard earnings and debt cover Title IV aid recipients, not cash-pay or private-loan students. Amherst College official site: https://www.amherst.edu.