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Amherst College
Admission Chances & Acceptance Rate

📍 Amherst, MA🏛️ Private university📝 Test-optional

Located in Amherst, Massachusetts, this is a small private college with 1,898 students and a 9% acceptance rate. Students typically score 1490–1580 on the SAT. The school is known for strength in social sciences, biology, and computer science. With a 94% six-year graduation rate and median earnings of $77,644 ten years after entry, it demonstrates strong academic outcomes, though the sticker price of $83,650 is offset by an average net price of $21,367 after financial aid.

Acceptance rate
9.0%
Enrollment
1,898
Test policy
optional
Grad rate (6-yr)
94%

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Admitted Student Profile

The middle 50% of admitted students (25th–75th percentile), self-reported by the school.

SAT (combined)
1490 – 1580
ACT (composite)
33 – 35
GPA
Not published

$ What You'll Actually Pay

Average yearly net price after grants & scholarships, by family income (federal cohort averages — not a personal quote).

$0–30k
$1,086
family income
$30–48k
$1,570
family income
$48–75k
$17,478
family income
$75–110k
$23,639
family income
$110k+
$47,521
family income
20% receive Pell grants
8% take federal loans

Strongest Programs

The fields Amherst College graduates the most students in — a signal of depth, faculty, and alumni networks.

Social Sciences
20.6%
Biology
15.8%
Computer Science
9.9%
Mathematics
8.2%
Physical Sciences
7.8%

Outcomes

School-level averages across all students who enrolled (College Scorecard). Not a personal forecast.

Earnings (10 yr)
$77,644
Earnings (6 yr)
$62,537
Completion
94%
Retention
97%
Median debt
$13,740

? Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Amherst College?

Amherst College has an acceptance rate of 9.0%, making it highly selective.

What SAT score do you need for Amherst College?

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 1490 and 1580 on the SAT. The ACT range is 33–35.

How much does Amherst College actually cost?

After grants and scholarships, the average net price for the lowest income band is $1,086 per year, rising to $47,521 for families earning $110k+. These are federal cohort averages, not a personal quote.

What are my chances of getting into Amherst College?

Your odds depend on how your GPA and test scores compare to admitted students, plus factors like major, residency, and early decision. UniversityOdds calculates a personalized probability for free — enter your stats to see yours.

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Data sourced from IPEDS, the Common Data Set, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Acceptance probabilities calculated by UniversityOdds are estimates based on published academic data and are not a guarantee of admission. Net price figures are federal cohort averages, not personalized quotes — run the school's official net price calculator for your own estimate.