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Amherst College

10/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Amherst, MA
0 reviews

#13 Best Colleges in America

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

1,914

Location Amherst, Massachusetts
Website amherst.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Town Fringe

Best Colleges Rank

#13

Size Small
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad

Amherst College, situated in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts, occupies a hilltop campus characterized by both Federal and Gothic Revival architecture, centered around its historic main quadrangle. Founded in 1821, the private liberal arts institution maintains a selective admissions process and operates on an open curriculum system that eliminates core requirements outside of a student's major. The college is recognized for its comprehensive programs in English, mathematics, economics, and environmental studies, while offering cross-registration opportunities with neighboring institutions through the Five College Consortium. All undergraduate students reside in one of the college's 34 residence halls, which range from historic Victorian houses to contemporary dormitories, maintaining Amherst's commitment to a residential college experience. Located 90 miles west of Boston and sharing its town with the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the college competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Mammoths.

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Ratings

Amherst is rated within the top 4% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10.

Overall Rating

10 out of 10
Academics

10 out of 10
Resources

10 out of 10
Outcomes

10 out of 10
Value

10 out of 10

Learn how ratings are calculated

Rankings

Rankings for Amherst College within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

Best Colleges in the U.S.

#13
Best Private Colleges in the U.S.

#13
Best Colleges in Massachusetts

#3
Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

#3
Best Value Colleges in the U.S.

#5
Best Value Colleges in Massachusetts

#3

Learn how rankings are calculated

Admissions

Admission Standards

Exceptional

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1490/1580
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 33/35

Acceptance Rate

Applications Due Jan 2, 2027
Enrollment Rate 38.8%
Application Fee $65

Applicant Competition Extreme

Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$70,480

Costs for Amherst College
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$70,480
Books and Supplies		$0
Other Fees		$660
Room and Board		$18,390
Budget for Other Expenses		$1,800
Total One Year Cost		$91,330

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$82,000 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

96% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Amherst College are Social Sciences, English and Literature, and Foreign Languages. 26% of students major in Social Sciences, 12% in English and Literature, and 7% in Foreign Languages.