Amherst College
Amherst College is a private liberal-arts college in the Pioneer Valley town of Amherst, Massachusetts, famous for its open curriculum — there are no general-education requirements, so students design their own course of study — and its membership in the Five College Consortium alongside neighbors like UMass Amherst and Smith. Admission is among the most selective in the country: Amherst admitted about 7.7% of more than 15,800 applicants for its most recent class, and enrolled first-years who submitted scores posted middle-50% SAT results of 1470–1540. With roughly 1,900 undergraduates and a 6.6-to-1 student-faculty ratio, the college is small and discussion-driven; the social sciences and mathematics are the two most-conferred fields. Amherst is test-optional and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, with a typical first-year aid package near $77,000.
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Amherst admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Decision
Amherst offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.
Admit rate by application plan
% admitted~3.3× higher admit rate applying early.
Standardized Tests
Amherst is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Amherst's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 28% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Amherst does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Amherst weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Amherst's Common Data Set.
Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Amherst admissions
Is it hard to get into Amherst College?＋
Yes, Amherst is one of the most selective colleges in the country, admitting about 7.7% of applicants in the most recent cycle — roughly 1,222 offers out of more than 15,800 applications, with about 485 first-years enrolling. There is no single cutoff; Amherst reads applications holistically, weighing rigor of coursework, GPA, the essay, recommendations, and personal qualities.
What is Amherst College's acceptance rate?＋
Amherst's acceptance rate is about 7.7%, offering admission to roughly 1,222 of more than 15,800 applicants in the most recent cycle. It is a small college — only about 485 first-years enroll — which is part of why admission is so competitive.
Is the early decision acceptance rate at Amherst higher than regular decision?＋
Yes, applying Early Decision improves your odds at Amherst: its binding ED round drew 971 applications and admitted 216 students, an admit rate of about 22% — well above the roughly 7.7% overall rate. Keep in mind ED is binding, so you commit to enroll if admitted.
Is a 1490 SAT good enough for Amherst College?＋
A 1490 is competitive at Amherst — it falls within the middle-50% SAT range of 1470–1540 for enrolled first-years who submitted scores (33–35 on the ACT). Because Amherst is test-optional, a score in that band strengthens your file but is not required; over 90% of submitting students scored 1400 or above.
What GPA do you need to get into Amherst College?＋
Amherst doesn't publish an average admitted GPA, but its class sits near the top of the high school cohort — among first-years who reported class rank, about 88% were in the top tenth of their graduating class. Academic GPA and the rigor of your course load are both weighed as very important factors, so a demanding schedule with strong grades matters more than any single number.
Does Amherst College require the SAT or ACT?＋
No, Amherst is test-optional, so you can apply without submitting SAT or ACT scores and standardized tests are only 'considered' in the review. Among enrolled students who did submit, the middle 50% scored 1470–1540 on the SAT and 33–35 on the ACT.
How much does Amherst College cost, and does it meet full financial need?＋
Tuition and required fees are about $73,830 per year, with the total cost higher once on-campus housing and food are added. Amherst meets 100% of demonstrated financial need; about 57% of first-years receive need-based scholarship or grant aid, with an average first-year package near $77,414.
Does the application essay matter at Amherst College?＋
Yes — Amherst rates the application essay as a very important factor in its holistic review, on par with GPA, course rigor, recommendations, and extracurriculars, and above test scores, which are only 'considered.' With an admit rate near 7.7%, a specific, well-revised essay is one of the clearest ways a strong applicant stands out.
Source: Amherst College Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-07. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Amherst. Banner photo by David Emmerman, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0).