Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Amherst, Massachusetts |
| Online | amherst.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Town Fringe |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad |
Amherst College, situated in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts, occupies a hilltop campus characterized by both Federal and Gothic Revival architecture, centered around its historic main quadrangle. Founded in 1821, the private liberal arts institution maintains a selective admissions process and operates on an open curriculum system that eliminates core requirements outside of a student's major. The college is recognized for its comprehensive programs in English, mathematics, economics, and environmental studies, while offering cross-registration opportunities with neighboring institutions through the Five College Consortium. All undergraduate students reside in one of the college's 34 residence halls, which range from historic Victorian houses to contemporary dormitories, maintaining Amherst's commitment to a residential college experience. Located 90 miles west of Boston and sharing its town with the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the college competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Mammoths.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Amherst is rated within the top 4% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Amherst College within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#15 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#15 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#4 in Best Colleges in Massachusetts
#4 in Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts
#3 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#3 in Best Value Colleges in Massachusetts
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1360/1550 |
| ACT | 31/35 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.91 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 2, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Extreme |
| Application Fee | $65 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Other Fees | $630 |
| Room and Board | $17,560 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,800 |
| Total One Year Cost | $87,640 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 26% |
| English and Literature | 12% |
| Foreign Languages | 7% |
| Biology | 7% |
| Psychology | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Amherst are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=164465 IPEDS survey data for Amherst College.
Current students may use the Amherst College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025