Amherst College
A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $83,300 within 10 years; exceptional 93% graduation rate.
About This School
Amherst College is a private nonprofit institution located in Amherst, Massachusetts with approximately 1,907 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 10%. The average net price after financial aid is $18,246 per year. The graduation rate is 93%, and the typical graduate earns $83,300 within 10 years of enrollment.
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.
This is a strong option for students who want the intimacy of a small liberal arts college (under 2,000 undergrads) without the financial burden — median debt at graduation is just $12,000, and average net price after aid runs about $18,246/year, making it genuinely accessible despite its elite reputation. The 97% freshman retention rate and 93% graduation rate signal that students who get in tend to thrive, and median earnings of $83,300 a decade out suggest the degree carries real weight. The main concern is simply getting in — a 10% acceptance rate means this should be a reach for nearly everyone, so treat it as an aspirational target and plan accordingly.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,907 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst, MA · Public
Boston University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
Northeastern University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Boston, MA · Public
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA · Public
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofit
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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