What makes Amherst different
- An open curriculum. No distribution requirements beyond a first-year seminar and a major.
- The Five Colleges. Students can take classes at Smith, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire and UMass Amherst.
- A college town. Amherst is a lively New England college town.
What Amherst students study
The most common bachelor's degrees (class of 2024): econometrics and quantitative economics (78), computer science (48), mathematics (35), biology (33), english language and literature (26) and psychology (26). Source: IPEDS Completions, first majors only.
You may thrive at Amherst if…
- You want freedom to choose your courses.
- You'd like a small college with four more nearby.
- You're drawn to economics, the sciences, English or political science.
Worth asking about
- How do Five College courses work?
- What does the first-year seminar involve?
How Amherst compares with other liberal arts colleges
Amherst admitted 9.0% of applicants for fall 2024 and is one of seven NESCAC colleges in this group. See how these 20 liberal arts colleges compare.
FAQ
What is Amherst College's acceptance rate? 9.0% for fall 2024: 1,238 of 13,743 applicants were admitted.
Does Amherst have early decision? Yes. Amherst offers binding early decision. Source
Does Amherst require the SAT or ACT? No. Amherst does not require the SAT or ACT. This applies to students applying in 2026–27 for fall 2027. Source
Does Amherst charge out-of-state tuition? No. Amherst is private, so published tuition and fees are the same for students from any state: $70,480 a year before aid. About 71% of first-year students came from outside Massachusetts.
How much is Amherst tuition per semester? About $35,240 a semester, half the published $70,480 a year, before aid.
How many students go to Amherst? About 1,900 undergraduates (fall 2024).
What is Amherst known for? Its open curriculum, Five College Consortium and college town.
How much does Amherst cost? Published tuition and fees are $70,480 a year before aid, and the total cost of attendance is $87,640. Students who received aid paid $25,035 a year on average.
Wondering if an open curriculum fits you?
Lens's assessments show whether you lean toward structure or flexibility, and which kinds of colleges fit. Start with Lens →