Amherst College campus

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Amherst Demographics & Diversity

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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Very High

Racial Diversity Index: 74%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at Amherst are predominantly White with a smaller Asian population. The school has very high racial diversity. 58% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Racial demographics of Amherst College students
Race Percent of Students
White
42%
Black
12%
Hispanic
13%
Asian
14%
American Indian / Alaskan
0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
5%
International
10%
Race Unknown
4%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 49%

There are 22% more female students than male students enrolled at Amherst College with a gender ratio of 55% women to 45% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, Amherst has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for Amherst College students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
45%
Women
55%
Enrollment by gender for Amherst College students
Gender Number of Students
Men
861
Women
1,053

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Very High

Geographic Diversity Index: 87%

Amherst draws 13 percent of students from Massachusetts, 70 percent from other states, and 16 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside Massachusetts, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for Amherst College students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
13%
Out of State
70%
Foreign
16%
Unknown Location
1%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$82,187 per year

18% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

1,914
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 1.5%
Part-time undergraduates 0%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to Amherst College often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=164465.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026