Skip to content
CollegeRanker
Colleges / MA / Amherst
Amherst College logo

Amherst College

Private nonprofit Amherst, MA · Urban · New England · 100% data reported · Agent Insights
94%
Graduation Rate
$77,644
Earnings (10yr)
$23,367
Net Price
9%
Acceptance Rate

Find Your Program

Match With an Accredited Program Accepting Applicants

Explore accredited programs — fast, free, no obligation.

✓ Accredited programs ✓ 100% free ✓ No obligation

Overview

With an acceptance rate of just 9%, Amherst College attracts students who are academically driven and eager to engage in a close-knit learning environment. This college is a great fit for those interested in fields like Social Sciences, Biology, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physical Sciences. The small student body of around 1,911 fosters a sense of community, making it easier for students to connect with faculty and peers while diving deep into their studies.

After graduation, students can expect to earn an impressive average of $77,644 within ten years. This figure reflects the strong outcomes for graduates, many of whom find opportunities to advance in their careers. While the Pell Grant rate sits at 20%, indicating support for lower-income students, the emphasis remains on ensuring that all graduates can make strides in their professional lives without being overly burdened by financial constraints.

In terms of affordability, the net price after aid comes to about $23,367, with a median debt of $13,740 for those who do take loans. This financial picture suggests that students who thrive here often come from a variety of backgrounds but share a common commitment to their education. With a graduation rate of 94%, it’s clear that students who choose Amherst tend to find their place and succeed, making the investment in their education worthwhile.

Rankings

How Amherst Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation94%Earnings 10yr$78KNet Price$23KRetention97%Median Debt$14KPell Grant Rate20%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$1K$0-30K$2K$30-48K$17K$48-75K$48K$110K+

The Mobility Equation

Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?

ACCESS% from bottom 20%422.2%SUCCESS% who reach top 20%4646.8%MOBILITY196.17%

Cost & Financial Aid

$70,480
In-State Tuition
$70,480
Out-of-State
$23,367
Avg Net Price
$13,740
Median Debt
20%
Pell Grant Rate
8%
Federal Loan Rate

What Families Actually Pay

$1,086
Family Income $0–$30K
$1,570
Family Income $30K–$48K
$17,478
Family Income $48K–$75K
$47,521
Family Income $110K+

Graduate Outcomes

$62,537
6 Years After Entry
$86,438
8 Years
$77,644
10 Years
0.18x
Debt-to-Earnings
68%
Earning > $25K

Earnings Trajectory

$62,537 6yr $86,438 8yr $77,644 10yr

Social Mobility

Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records

196.17%
Mobility Rate
Bottom 20% → Top 20%
4646.8%
Success Rate
If bottom 20% get in
422.2%
From Bottom 20%
Share of students
$181,300
Parent Median Income

Social Capital

Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas

1.83
Economic Connectedness
Cross-class friendships
0.00
Friending Bias
Lower = more inclusive
13.1%
Volunteering Rate
1.00
Support Ratio
Community support

Innovation

Data: Opportunity Insights Patent & Innovation Data

0.661%
Inventor Rate
11
Total Patents

Academics & Admissions

Acceptance Rate 9%
Retention Rate 97%
SAT Average 1533
ACT Midpoint 33
SAT Range 1490–1580
ACT Range 33–35
Full-Time Faculty 97%
Faculty Salary (mo) $15,606
Diversity Index 0.79
First-Gen Students 21%

Top Programs

Social Sciences 21%
Biology & Biomedical 16%
Computer Science & IT 10%
Mathematics & Statistics 8%
Physical Sciences 8%
Psychology 5%
English & Literature 5%
Legal Studies 5%