Amherst College : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Amherst College
Known for an open curriculum, Amherst College lets students shape an education across the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Classes skew discussion heavy, with faculty who prize close reading and clear writing. The culture is curious and unpretentious, the kind that nudges you to speak up and really listen. And through a nearby college consortium, students tap extra courses, libraries, performances, and perspectives without losing the tight knit feel.
Campus life centers on light filled libraries, well equipped labs and studios, a lively arts scene, and athletics facilities students actually use. Advising, tutoring, and health services are easy to find. Clubs span a cappella, theater, debate, community engagement, and outdoorsy crews chasing river paths and hill hikes. The town brings cafés, bookstores, and farm to table spots, plus a broader valley arts culture. Career prep leans practical, with internships, alumni mentoring, and recruiting. Notable alumni include Calvin Coolidge, Harold Varmus, and David Foster Wallace. And yes, the Mammoths show up.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Amherst College offers 40 degree programs across 17 major academic fields, graduating approximately 732 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Social Sciences (4 programs, 135 graduates), Mathematics (2 programs, 100 graduates), Biological Sciences (3 programs, 83 graduates), Physical Sciences (4 programs, 60 graduates) and Computer & IT (1 programs, 52 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Social Sciences (4 programs, 135 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 88 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0603 |
| Political Science and Government | 30 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Sociology | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Anthropology | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0201 |
Mathematics (2 programs, 100 graduates)
Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 81 |
|
Bachelor's
|
27.0101 |
| Statistics | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
27.0501 |
Biological Sciences (3 programs, 83 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 34 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Neuroscience | 25 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1501 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0299 |
Physical Sciences (4 programs, 60 graduates)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0801 |
| Chemistry | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0501 |
| Geology and Earth Science | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0601 |
| Astronomy | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0201 |
Computer & IT (1 programs, 52 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 52 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0701 |
Psychology (1 programs, 52 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental Psychology | 52 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2799 |
Languages (6 programs, 37 graduates)
Foreign Languages, Literature and Linguistic Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Language and Literature | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0901 |
| Spanish Language and Literature | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0905 |
| Russian Language and Literature | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0402 |
| German Language and Literature | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.0501 |
| Classics and Classical Languages | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.1200 |
| Latin Language and Literature | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.1203 |
Arts (4 programs, 37 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art Studies | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0701 |
| Music | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Film and Media Studies | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0601 |
| Theatre Arts | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
English (1 programs, 35 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.0101 |
Law (1 programs, 32 graduates)
Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Legal Studies | 32 |
|
Bachelor's
|
22.0203 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Amherst College.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Amherst College
How much does it cost to attend Amherst College?
The annual tuition at Amherst College is $67,280 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $87,640 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $17,560 and books and supplies $1,000.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Amherst College offer?
Amherst College offers 40 academic programs across 17 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (4 programs)
- Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis (2 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (3 programs)
- Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research (4 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Amherst College?
Amherst College has an 9.8% acceptance rate and a 39% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 12,727
- Students admitted: 1,250
- Students enrolled: 488
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Amherst College?
Amherst College provides financial aid to 25% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $65,623 and average loans of $9,823.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,485
- State/Local grants: $3,524
- Institutional grants: $63,167
- Federal loans: $5,192
The university supports 269 students with grants and 35 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Amherst College graduates?
Amherst College graduates earn a median salary of $62,537 after 6 years and $77,644 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $60,184 (25th percentile) to $153,382 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $172,500 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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