What SAT score do I need for Amherst College?

Amherst College's middle 50% SAT range is 1490 to 1580. A score in or above that band keeps you in the conversation; below it, the rest of your application has to do more work.

What ACT score do I need for Amherst College?

Middle 50% ACT range is 33 to 35. The top of that range or above is what most admitted students submit when they choose to send a score.

What is the acceptance rate at Amherst College?

Amherst College admits roughly 9% of applicants. That makes it a reach for nearly everyone, regardless of stats.

What does Amherst College actually cost after financial aid?

Average net cost (after institutional aid) is about $23,367 per year. Net cost varies enormously by family income; run the school's net price calculator for an estimate that reflects your situation.

Is Amherst College a reach, match, or safety for me?

Compare your stats to the middle 50% above. If you are at or below the 25th percentile, treat Amherst College as a reach. If you are in the middle 50%, it is a match. Above the 75th percentile and the school accepts above 25% overall, it is closer to a safety. Selectivity below 20% should be treated as a reach for everyone, period.

Amherst College

Amherst, MA · Northeast

Acceptance rate: 9.0%
SAT mid-50: 1490-1580
Cost after aid: $23,367
Graduation rate: 94%

What Amherst College says matters

How Amherst College rates each admissions factor in its Common Data Set, with the full published numbers below.

Acceptance rate: 9.0%; 1,238 of 13,743
Yield: 39%; 480 enrolled
SAT mid-50: 1500-1560
ACT mid-50: 33-35
CDS year: 2024-25

Acceptance rate by gender

Men: 8.3%508 of 6,121
Women: 9.6%652 of 6,776

Very important

Rigor of secondary school record
Academic GPA
Standardized test scores
Application essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular activities
Talent or ability

Important

Class rank
Character or personal qualities
First generation
Volunteer work
Work experience

Considered

Geographical residence

Not considered

Interview
Alumni relation
State residency
Religious affiliation or commitment
Level of applicant's interest

The full Common Data Set

Every figure Amherst College published for 2024-25, section by section.

First-Time, First-Year Admission134

Entrance Exams

SAT: X
ACT: X
AP: X
Does your institution make use of SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions for first-time, first-year, degree-seeking applicants?: Yes

Applications

Total first-time, first-year men who applied: 6,121
Total first-time, first-year women who applied: 6,776
Total first-time, first-year another gender who applied: 473
Total first-time, first-year unknown gender who applied: 372
Total first-time, first-year men who were admitted: 508
Total first-time, first-year women who were admitted: 652
Total first-time, first-year another gender who were admitted: 33
Total first-time, first-year unknown gender who were admitted: 45
Total full-time, first-time, first-year men who enrolled: 196
Total part-time, first-time, first-year men who enrolled: 0
Total full-time, first-time, first-year women who enrolled: 255
Total part-time, first-time, first-year women who enrolled: 0
Total full-time, first-time, first-year another gender who enrolled: 14
Total part-time, first-time, first-year another gender who enrolled: 0
Total full-time, first-time, first-year unknown gender who enrolled: 15
Total part-time, first-time, first-year unknown gender who enrolled: 0
Total first-time, first-year students who applied: 13,743
Total first-time, first-year students who were admitted: 1,238
Total first-time, first-year students who enrolled: 480
Total first-time, first-year who applied: 1,028
Total first-time, first-year who were admitted: 123
Total first-time, first-year who enrolled: 57
Total first-time, first-year who applied: 6,927
Total first-time, first-year who were admitted: 957
Total first-time, first-year who enrolled: 332
Total first-time, first-year who applied: 5,664
Total first-time, first-year who were admitted: 150
Total first-time, first-year who enrolled: 89
Total first-time, first-year who applied: 124
Total first-time, first-year who were admitted: 8
Total first-time, first-year who enrolled: 2

Wait List

Number of qualified applicants offered a place on waiting list:: 1,105
Number accepting a place on the waiting list:: 623
Number of wait-listed students admitted:: 8

Admissions Requirements

Total academic units: 4
Mathematics: 4
Science: 4
Of these, units that must be lab: 2
Social studies: 2
History: 2

Basis for Selection

Rigor of secondary school record: Very Important
Class rank: Important
Academic GPA: Very Important
Standardized test scores: Very Important
Application Essay: Very Important
Recommendation(s): Very Important
Interview: Not Considered
Extracurricular activities: Very Important
Talent/ability: Very Important
Character/personal qualities: Important
First generation: Important
Alumni/ae relation: Not Considered
Geographical residence: Considered
State residency: Not Considered
Religious affiliation/commitment: Not Considered
Volunteer work: Important
Work experience: Important
Level of applicant’s interest: Not Considered

First-time, first-year Profile

Submitting SAT Scores: 0.39
Submitting ACT Scores: 0.22
Submitting SAT Scores: 187
Submitting ACT Scores: 105
SAT Composite: 25th Percentile: 1,500
SAT Composite: 50th Percentile: 1,540
SAT Composite: 75th Percentile: 1,560
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 25th Percentile: 740
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 50th Percentile: 760
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 75th Percentile: 780
SAT Math: 25th Percentile: 750
SAT Math: 50th Percentile: 780
SAT Math: 75th Percentile: 800
ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 33%
ACT Composite: 50th Percentile: 34%
ACT Composite: 75th Percentile: 35%
ACT Math: 25th Percentile: 32%
ACT Math: 50th Percentile: 34%
ACT Math: 75th Percentile: 35%
ACT English: 25th Percentile: 34%
ACT English: 50th Percentile: 35%
ACT English: 75th Percentile: 36%
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 700-800: 95
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 600-699: 5
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 500-599: 0
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 400-499: 0
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 300-399: 0
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 200-299: 0
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: Total: 100
SAT Math: 700-800: 97
SAT Math: 600-699: 3
SAT Math: 500-599: 0
SAT Math: 400-499: 0
SAT Math: 300-399: 0
SAT Math: 200-299: 0
SAT Math: Total: 100
SAT Composite: 1400-1600: 98
SAT Composite: 1200-1399: 2
SAT Composite: 1000-1199: 0
SAT Composite: 800-999: 0
SAT Composite: 600-799: 0
SAT Composite: 400-599: 0
ACT Composite: 30-36: 98
ACT Composite: 24-29: 2
ACT Composite: 18-23: 0
ACT Composite: 12-17: 0
ACT Composite: 6-11: 0
ACT Composite: Below 6: 0
ACT Composite: Total: 100
Percent in top tenth of high school graduating class: 93%
Percent in top quarter of high school graduating class: 99%
Percent in top half of high school graduating class: 100%
Percent in bottom half of high school graduating class: 0
Percent in bottom quarter of high school graduating class: 0
Percent of total first-time, first-year students who submitted high school class rank:: 29%
Total: 0
Total: 0
Total: 0

Admission Policies

Amount of application fee:: 75
Can it be waived for applicants with financial need?: Yes
Same fee: X
Application closing date (fall): 1
Priority Date: 6
Are first-time, first-year students accepted for terms other than the fall?: Yes
Date: X
Yes, other:: 4
Other Date: 1
If yes, maximum period of postponement:: 2 years
Does your institution allow high school students to enroll as full-time, first-time, first-year students one year or more before high school graduation?: Yes
Does your institution offer an early decision plan (an admission plan that permits students to apply and be notified of an admission decision well in advance of the regular notification date and that asks students to commit to attending if accepted) for first-time, first-year applicants for fall enrollment?: Yes
Number of early decision applications received by your institution: 735
Number of applicants admitted under early decision plan: 216

Transfer Admission28

Fall Applicants

Does your institution enroll transfer students? (If no, please skip to Section E): Yes
Men: 292
Women: 294
Unknown: 638
Total: 31
Men: 24
Another Gender: 55
Unknown: 16
Total: 15
Women: 31

Application for Admission

Fall: X
Spring: X
Must a transfer applicant have a minimum number of credits completed or else must apply as an entering first-year student?: Yes
High school transcript: Required of Some
College transcript(s): Required of All
Essay or personal statement: Not Required
Interview: Not Required
Standardized test scores: Not Required
Statement of good standing from prior institution(s): Not Required
List any other application requirements specific to transfer applicants:: https://www.amherst.edu/admission/apply/ transfer
Fall: 3
Winter: 1
Fall: 11
Winter: 1
Fall: 4
Winter: 15
Describe additional requirements for transfer admission, if applicable:: - D12 Report the lowest grade earned for any course that may be transferred for credit: C Number Unit Type - D13 Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred from a two-year institution: 64 Credit(s) Number Unit Type - D14 Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred from a four-year institution: 64 Credit(s) - D15 Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at your institution to earn an associate degree: NA - D16 Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at your institution to earn a bachelor's degree: 64 - D17 Describe other transfer credit policies: https://www.amherst.edu/admission/apply/ transfer ## D18-D22: Military Service Transfer Credit Policies - D18 Does your institution accept the following military/veteran transfer credits: Yes No Number Unit Type - D19 Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred based on military education evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE): Number Unit Type - D20 Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred based on Department of Defense supported prior learning assessments (College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)): Yes No - D21 Are the military/veteran credit transfer policies published on your website? - D22 Describe other military/veteran transfer credit policies unique to your institution: ##

Transfer Credit Policies

Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at your institution to earn a bachelor’s degree:: 64

Academic Offerings and Policies9

Special Study Options

Cross-registration: X
Double major: X
Exchange student program (domestic): X
Independent study: X
Internships: X
Student-designed major: X
Study abroad: X
Teacher certification program: X
Undergraduate Research: X

Student Life21

Activities Offered

Campus Ministries: X
Choral groups: X
Concert band: X
Dance: X
Drama/theater: X
International Student Organization: X
Jazz band: X
Literary magazine: X
Model UN: X
Music ensembles: X
Musical theater: X
Opera: X
Pep band: X
Radio station: X
Student government: X
Student newspaper: X
Student-run film society: X
Symphony orchestra: X
Yearbook: X

Housing

Cooperative housing: X
Theme housing: X

Annual Expenses24

Information

Please provide the URL of your institution’s net price calculator:: https://www.amherst.edu/offices/financialaid/calculator
If your institution's 2025-2026 academic year costs of attendance are not available at this time please respond.: X

Private Tuition

Tuition: 69820
Tuition: 69820

All Institutions Expenses

Required Fees:: 660
Food and housing (on-campus):: 18390
Housing Only (on-campus):: 9940
Food Only (on-campus meal plan):: 8450
Required Fees:: 660
Food and housing (on-campus):: 18390
Housing Only (on-campus):: 9940
Food Only (on-campus meal plan):: 8450

Credits per Term

Minimum: 16

Tuition Policies

Do tuition and fees vary by year of study (e.g., sophomore, junior, senior)?: No
Do tuition and fees vary by undergraduate instructional program?: No

Estimated Expenses

Books and supplies:: 0
Transportation:: 0
Other expenses:: 1800
Books and supplies:: 0
Transportation: 0
Other expenses:: 1800
Books and supplies:: 0
Food and housing total*: 18390
Other expenses:: 1800

Financial Aid100

Students Awarded Non-need-based Aid

N. Number of students in line a who had no financial need and who were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid (exclude those who were awarded athletic awards and tuition benefits): 0
O. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based scholarship and grant aid awarded to students in line n: 0
P. Number of students in line a who were awarded an institutional non-need-based athletic scholarship or grant: 0
Q. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based athletic scholarships and grants awarded to students in line p: 0
N. Number of students in line a who had no financial need and who were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid (exclude those who were awarded athletic awards and tuition benefits): 6
O. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based scholarship and grant aid awarded to students in line n: 14,801
P. Number of students in line a who were awarded an institutional non-need-based athletic scholarship or grant: 0
Q. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based athletic scholarships and grants awarded to students in line p: 0
N. Number of students in line a who had no financial need and who were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid (exclude those who were awarded athletic awards and tuition benefits): 0
O. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based scholarship and grant aid awarded to students in line n: 0
P. Number of students in line a who were awarded an institutional non-need-based athletic scholarship or grant: 0
Q. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based athletic scholarships and grants awarded to students in line p: 0

Methodology

Both FM and IM: 3251418

Need-based Aid Awarded

Federal: 216500
State all states, not only the state in which your institution is located: 78902629
Institutional: Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition funded grants, awarded by the college, excluding athletic aid and tuition waivers (which are reported below).: 983839
Scholarships/grants from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) not awarded by the college: 83354386
Total Scholarships/Grants: 231247
Student loans from all sources (excluding parent loans): 688356
Federal Work-Study: 775772
State and other (e.g., institutional) work-study/employment (Note: Excludes Federal Work-Study captured above.): 1695375
Total Self-Help: 0
Parent Loans: 0
Tuition Waivers Note: Reporting is optional. Report tuition waivers in this row if you choose to report them. Do not report tuition waivers elsewhere.: 0
Athletic Awards: 0

Non-need-based Aid Awarded

Federal: 0
State all states, not only the state in which your institution is located: 114907
Institutional: Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition funded grants, awarded by the college, excluding athletic aid and tuition waivers (which are reported below).: 1893169
Scholarships/grants from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) not awarded by the college: 2008076
Total Scholarships/Grants: 2252721
Student loans from all sources (excluding parent loans): 0
State and other (e.g., institutional) work-study/employment (Note: Excludes Federal Work-Study captured above.): 2252721
Total Self-Help: 2512372
Parent Loans: 0
Tuition Waivers Note: Reporting is optional. Report tuition waivers in this row if you choose to report them. Do not report tuition waivers elsewhere.: 0

Students Awarded Aid

A. Number of degree-seeking undergraduate students (CDS Item B1 if reporting on Fall 2024 cohort): 480
B. Number of students in line a who applied for need-based financial aid: 353
C. Number of students in line b who were determined to have financial need: 284
D. Number of students in line c who were awarded any financial aid: 284
E. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based scholarship or grant aid: 284
F. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based self-help aid: 216
G. Number of students in line d who were awarded any non-need-based scholarship or grant aid: 0
H. Number of students in line d whose need was fully met (exclude PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans): 284
I. On average, the percentage of need that was met of students who were awarded any need-based aid. Exclude any aid that was awarded in excess of need as well as any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans): 100%
J. The average financial aid package of those in line d. Exclude any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans): 69507
K. Average need-based scholarship and grant award of those in line e: 68154
L. Average need-based self-help award (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f: 1640
M. Average need-based loan (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f who were awarded a need-based loan: 69
A. Number of degree-seeking undergraduate students (CDS Item B1 if reporting on Fall 2024 cohort): 2,020
B. Number of students in line a who applied for need-based financial aid: 1,294
C. Number of students in line b who were determined to have financial need: 1,156
D. Number of students in line c who were awarded any financial aid: 1,156
E. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based scholarship or grant aid: 1,156
F. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based self-help aid: 944
G. Number of students in line d who were awarded any non-need-based scholarship or grant aid: 0
H. Number of students in line d whose need was fully met (exclude PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans): 1,156
I. On average, the percentage of need that was met of students who were awarded any need-based aid. Exclude any aid that was awarded in excess of need as well as any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans): 100%
J. The average financial aid package of those in line d. Exclude any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans): 72409
K. Average need-based scholarship and grant award of those in line e: 71342
L. Average need-based self-help award (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f: 1533
M. Average need-based loan (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f who were awarded a need-based loan: 75

Graduating Cohort

Provide the number of students in the 2024 undergraduate class who started at your institution as first-time students and received a bachelor's degree between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Exclude students who transferred into your institution.: 460

Source Type Loan

A. Any loan program: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized, institutional, state, private loans that your institution is aware of, etc. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans.: 91
B. Federal loan programs: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans.: 71
C. Institutional loan programs.: 24
D. State loan programs.: 0
E. Private student loans made by a bank or lender.: 20
A. Any loan program: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized, institutional, state, private loans that your institution is aware of, etc. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans.: 20.00
B. Federal loan programs: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans.: 15.00
C. Institutional loan programs.: 5.00
D. State loan programs.: 0.00
E. Private student loans made by a bank or lender.: 4.00
A. Any loan program: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized, institutional, state, private loans that your institution is aware of, etc. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans.: 25522
B. Federal loan programs: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans.: 14345
C. Institutional loan programs.: 2559
D. State loan programs.: 0
E. Private student loans made by a bank or lender.: 62126

Aid to Nonresidents

Institutional need-based scholarship or grant aid is available: X
If institutional financial aid is available for undergraduate degree-seeking nonresidents, provide the number of undergraduate degree-seeking nonresidents who were awarded need-based or non-need-based aid:: 212
Average dollar amount of institutional financial aid awarded to undergraduate degree-seeking nonresidents:: 82,631
Total dollar amount of institutional financial aid awarded to undergraduate degree-seeking nonresidents:: 17,517,803

Financial Aid Forms

FAFSA: X
CSS PROFILE: X
Noncustodial PROFILE: X
Other (specify):: X

Financial Aid Deadlines

Priority date for filing required financial aid forms:: X
Deadline for filing required financial aid forms:: 1
No deadline for filing required forms (applications processed on a rolling basis): 15

Financial Aid Reply

Students must reply by (date):: 5
or within____weeks of notification.: 1

Aid Available

Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans: X
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans: X
Federal Direct PLUS Loans: X
College/university loans from institutional funds: X
Federal Pell Grants: X
Federal SEOG: X
State scholarships/grants: X
Private scholarships: X
College/university scholarship or grant aid from institutional funds: X

Institutional Aid

If your institution has recently implemented any major financial aid policy, program, or initiative to make your institution more affordable to incoming students such as replacing loans with grants, or waiving costs for families below a certain income level please provide details:: CDS-H Page 7 Common Data Set 2024-2025

Disciplinary Areas of Degrees Conferred42

Diploma/Certificates

Military science and military technologies: 0
TOTAL (should = 100%): 0

Associate

TOTAL (should = 100%): 0

Bachelors

Agriculture: 0
Natural resources and conservation: 2.05
Architecture: 0.55
Area, ethnic, and gender studies: 4.23
Communication/journalism: 0
Communication technologies: 0
Computer and information sciences: 7.1
Personal and culinary services: 0
Education: 1.64
Engineering: 0
Engineering technologies: 0
Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics: 5.05
Family and consumer sciences: 0
Law/legal studies: 4.37
English: 4.78
Liberal arts/general studies: 0
Library science: 0
Biological/life sciences: 11.34
Mathematics and statistics: 13.66
Military science and military technologies: 28
Interdisciplinary studies: 0.68
Parks and recreation: 0
Philosophy and religious studies: 2.6
Theology and religious vocations: 0
Physical sciences: 8.2
Science technologies: 0
Psychology: 7.1
Homeland Security, law enforcement, firefighting, and protective services: 0
Public administration and social services: 0
Social sciences: 18.44
Construction trades: 0
Mechanic and repair technologies: 0
Precision production: 0
Transportation and materials moving: 0
Visual and performing arts: 5.05
Health professions and related programs: 0
Business/marketing: 0
History: 3.14
TOTAL (should = 100%): 100%

Enrollment And Persistence126

Institutional Enrollment

Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: men: 207
Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: women: 15
Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: another gender: 0
Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: unknown: 4
Other first-year, degree-seeking: women: 847
Other first-year, degree-seeking: unknown: 0
All other degree-seeking: unknown: 0
Total degree-seeking: unknown: 4
All other undergraduates enrolled in credit courses: unknown: 29
Total undergraduate Full-Time Students: unknown: 33
Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: women: 269
Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: another gender: 16
Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: unknown: 3
Other first-year, degree-seeking: another gender: 1,034
Other first-year, degree-seeking: unknown: 0
All other degree-seeking: unknown: 0
Total degree-seeking: unknown: 0
All other undergraduates enrolled in credit courses: unknown: 0
Total undergraduate students: another gender: 4
Total undergraduate students: unknown: 33
Degree-seeking, first-time: unknown: 0
All other degree-seeking: unknown: 0
All other graduates enrolled in credit courses: unknown: 0
Degree-seeking, first-time: unknown: 0
All other degree-seeking: unknown: 1,914
All other graduates enrolled in credit courses: men: 0
All other graduates enrolled in credit courses: women: 1,914
All other graduates enrolled in credit courses: unknown: 0
Total graduate Part-Time Students: unknown: 0
Total Graduate Students: unknown: 0
Total All Students: unknown: 33

All

Total graduate Full-Time Students: unknown: 0

Enrollment by Racial/Ethnic Category

Nonresidents: 76
Hispanic/Latino: 50
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 14
White, non-Hispanic: 180
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 1
Asian, non-Hispanic: 98
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 37
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 24
TOTAL: 480
Nonresidents: 254
Hispanic/Latino: 264
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 170
White, non-Hispanic: 696
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 2
Asian, non-Hispanic: 315
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 1
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 165
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 47
TOTAL: 55
Nonresidents: 254
Hispanic/Latino: 264
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 170
White, non-Hispanic: 696
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 2
Asian, non-Hispanic: 315
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 1
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 165
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 47
TOTAL: 31

Graduation Rates

Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 148
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 49
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 295
Total: 492
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 0
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 0
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 0
Total: 0
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 148
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 49
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 295
Total: 492
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 116
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 32
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 221
Total: 369
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 17
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 10
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 59
Total: 86
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 3
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 1
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 3
Total: 7
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 136
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 43
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 283
Total: 462
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 92
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 88
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 96
Total: 94
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 93
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 49
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 329
Total: 471
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 0
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 0
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 0
Total: 0
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 93
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 49
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 329
Total: 471
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 71
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 34
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 233
Total: 338
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 14
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 10
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 71
Total: 95
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 2
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 1
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 4
Total: 7
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 87
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 45
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 308
Total: 440
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 94
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 92
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 94
Total: 93

Instructional Faculty And Class Size41

Instructional Faculty

A. Total number of instructional faculty: 250
B. Total number who are members of minority groups: 74
C. Total number who are women: 122
D. Total number who are men: 128
E. Total number who are nonresidents (international): 14
F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree: 236
G. Total number whose highest degree is a master’s but not a terminal master’s: 13
H. Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor’s: 1
I. Total number whose highest degree is unknown or other (Note: Items f, g, h, and i must sum up to item a.): 0
J. Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students: 0
A. Total number of instructional faculty: 88
B. Total number who are members of minority groups: 19
C. Total number who are women: 42
D. Total number who are men: 46
E. Total number who are nonresidents (international): 5
F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree: 81%
G. Total number whose highest degree is a master’s but not a terminal master’s: 5
H. Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor’s: 2
I. Total number whose highest degree is unknown or other (Note: Items f, g, h, and i must sum up to item a.): 0
J. Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students: 0
A. Total number of instructional faculty: 338
B. Total number who are members of minority groups: 93
C. Total number who are women: 164
D. Total number who are men: 174
E. Total number who are nonresidents (international): 19
F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree: 317
G. Total number whose highest degree is a master’s but not a terminal master’s: 18
H. Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor’s: 3
I. Total number whose highest degree is unknown or other (Note: Items f, g, h, and i must sum up to item a.): 0
J. Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students: 0

Student to Faculty Ratio

Fall 2024 Student to Faculty ratio: 6.85
based on ____ students: 1,914
and ____ faculty: 33

Undergraduate Class Size

2-9: 26
10-19: 26
20-29: 53
30-39: 35
40-49: 5
50-99: 2
100+: 0
Total: 0

Source: Amherst College's Common Data Set 2024-25

About Amherst College

Amherst College is a very small private university in Amherst, MA, in a city setting.

What Amherst College looks for

Amherst College accepts roughly 9%, which means a strong application is necessary but not sufficient. Most admitted students are at or above the mid-50 in test scores and have at least one extracurricular thread that AOs read as substantive. The supplements matter. The "why us" essay is where many otherwise-strong applications fall apart, because it reads as a Mad Libs of the school's website rather than a real plan.

Frequently asked

What SAT score do I need for Amherst College?
Amherst College's middle 50% SAT range is 1490 to 1580. A score in or above that band keeps you in the conversation; below it, the rest of your application has to do more work.
What ACT score do I need for Amherst College?
Middle 50% ACT range is 33 to 35. The top of that range or above is what most admitted students submit when they choose to send a score.
What is the acceptance rate at Amherst College?
Amherst College admits roughly 9% of applicants. That makes it a reach for nearly everyone, regardless of stats.
What does Amherst College actually cost after financial aid?
Average net cost (after institutional aid) is about $23,367 per year. Net cost varies enormously by family income; run the school's net price calculator for an estimate that reflects your situation.
Is Amherst College a reach, match, or safety for me?
Compare your stats to the middle 50% above. If you are at or below the 25th percentile, treat Amherst College as a reach. If you are in the middle 50%, it is a match. Above the 75th percentile and the school accepts above 25% overall, it is closer to a safety. Selectivity below 20% should be treated as a reach for everyone, period.

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