Amherst, MA · Private nonprofit · 4-year · Niche: A+
Amherst College has a 9.0% acceptance rate. Amherst College is a private nonprofit 4-year institution in Amherst, MA, with a median SAT of 1540 and a median ACT of 34. The average net price is $23,367 per year after financial aid, and it is accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education). Data updated April 2026.
9.0%
14,500 applicants
1540
Combined score
34
Composite score
$23,367
After financial aid
Middle-50% test scores of admitted students at Amherst College (25th to 75th percentile), per federal IPEDS data:
| Test | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT (total, 400–1600) | 1440 | 1540 | 1580 |
| ACT (composite, 1–36) | 32 | 34 | 35 |
93.7%
97.3%
$77,644
1,911
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships at Amherst College:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 – $30,000 | $1,086 |
| $30,001 – $48,000 | $1,570 |
| $48,001 – $75,000 | $17,478 |
| $75,001 – $110,000 | $23,639 |
| $110,000+ | $47,521 |
| Major | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 100 |
| Biological & Biomedical Sciences | 77 |
| Computer & Information Sciences | 48 |
| Mathematics & Statistics | 40 |
| Physical Sciences | 38 |
| English Language & Literature | 26 |
| Psychology | 26 |
| Area, Ethnic & Gender Studies | 23 |
| Legal Professions | 23 |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 19 |
Official website: https://www.amherst.edu/
Admissions: https://www.amherst.edu/admission/
Amherst College has an acceptance rate of 9%. it received about 14,500 applications in a recent year; admitted students have a median SAT near 1540; the average net price is $23,367 per year. Admit Coach estimates your personal odds of admission to Amherst College for free using your GPA and test scores.
Getting into Amherst College is highly competitive — it admits 9% of applicants. Admitted students typically have a median SAT around 1540. Your odds depend on how your GPA and scores compare to admitted students. Admit Coach calculates your specific chance at Amherst College for free and labels it a reach, target, or safety school.
Admitted students at Amherst College typically have a median SAT around 1540 and a median ACT around 34. With a 9% acceptance rate, competitive applicants usually score at or above these medians. Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA. Enter your scores in Admit Coach to see whether you land in the reach, target, or safety range.
The average net price at Amherst College is $23,367 per year after grants and scholarships. about 58% of students receive financial aid; the average grant or scholarship is $63,000 per year. Net price varies by family income — Admit Coach shows the estimate for your specific income bracket.
Amherst College has a graduation rate of 94%. its first-year retention rate is 97%; median earnings 10 years after enrollment are $77,644. These federal outcome metrics let you compare Amherst College against similar colleges on Admit Coach.
For the 2025–26 cycle, Amherst College is test-optional, meaning you can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. Students who do submit scores typically have a median SAT near 1540. With a 9% acceptance rate, a strong overall application matters most. Admit Coach factors Amherst College's testing policy into your free admission-chance estimate.
Lexington, VA · 14% acceptance
Grinnell, IA · 11% acceptance
St. Louis, MO · 12% acceptance
Atlanta, GA · 14% acceptance
Middlebury, VT · 11% acceptance
Williamstown, MA · 8% acceptance
Cambridge, MA · 4% acceptance
Cambridge, MA · 5% acceptance
Williamstown, MA · 8% acceptance
Boston, MA · 7% acceptance
Wellesley, MA · 12% acceptance
Medford, MA · 10% acceptance
All 3,500+ universities · Most affordable colleges · Best value colleges · Test-optional colleges · Engineering programs · Computer science programs · Highest graduation rates · Compare planning tools