Overview
Amherst College, situated in Amherst, Massachusetts, is widely known as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. They employ an open curriculum, meaning Amherst allows students the flexibility to explore a wide range of academic interests. The college boasts a picturesque New England campus and a strong tradition of academic excellence. Notable alumni include Calvin Coolidge, David Foster Wallace, and Jeffrey Wright.
There are currently 1,907 undergraduates at Amherst and the school’s acceptance rate is 10%. The tuition at Amherst is $67,280.
Liberal Arts
City
SupplementalEssay
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$87,640
$69,394
$18,246
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$87,640The sticker price at Amherst is $87,640. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Amherst would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Amherst College Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at Amherst you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA and CSS Profile use financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the forms even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.
The FAFSA code for Amherst is 002115 and the CSS Profile Code is 3003.
The FAFSA is completely free, while the CSS Profile charges a fee for each college you send it to. If you have demonstrated financial need, you may qualify for a CSS Profile fee waiver.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
Using State Grants at Amherst
Massachusetts residents who are considering Amherst should be sure to look into state grants to help fund your education. Massachusetts has a wide variety of programs, including the need-based tuition waiver program, the MASSGrant, the Massachusetts Gilbert Matching Student Grant Program, and MCAS Scholarships. The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, which is for students who performed well on the MCAS, offers a tuition waiver for up to eight semesters of public school.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Massachusetts scholarshipsPell Grants at Amherst College
21% of students at Amherst College receive Pell Grants.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at Amherst. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:
Amherst College Financial Aid Resources
For more information about financial aid at Amherst, or for questions that are specific to your financial situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.amherst.edu/offices/financialaid
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 413-542-2296
Admissions
10%
33
1463
Does Amherst have a supplemental essay?
Yes, Amherst College includes a supplemental essay in their application. Luckily, Scholarships360 has a free guide to help you answer Amherst's essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
Amherst Supplemental Essay Guide
Is Amherst test-optional?
Amherst College is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.
What is the application deadline at Amherst?
Early Decision I
Regular Decision
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
7:1
Graduation Rate
93%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Social Sciences
18%
18% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
16%
16% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
11%
11% of graduates
Mathematics
9%
9% of graduates
Psychology
8%
8% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
6%
6% of graduates
Physical Sciences
6%
6% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
4%
4% of graduates
English Language & Literature
4%
4% of graduates
Legal Studies
4%
4% of graduates
History
4%
4% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
3%
3% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
3%
3% of graduates
Architecture
2%
2% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
2%
2% of graduates
Education
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
1,907
Pell Grant 22%
Undergrad Students Over 25 1%
Percent Male / Female 46% / 54%
Ethnic Diversity at Amherst
36% White
16% Asian / Pacific Islander
15% Hispanic
12% International / Non-Citizen
11% Black
8% Multiracial
1% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$77,644
Median Debt $13,740
Debt 10 years after graduation $146
Graduation Rate 93%
What is the graduation rate at Amherst College?
93% of students who start at Amherst College finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 35% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Amherst College go on to earn?
The median income of students 10 years after starting at Amherst College is $77,644. This is $27,253 more than the national median.
This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from Amherst College who received federal financial aid.
Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Amherst take out in loans?
Graduates of Amherst take out a median of $13,740 in federal student loans. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
If you represent Amherst College and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.
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