CAMPUS · AMHERST, MA · PRIVATE

Amherst College

9.8%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

FIT

REACH

Amherst College is a reach for most applicants.

Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.

ACCEPTANCE

9.8%

of 12,727 applicants

SALARY · 10-YR

$77,644

across all majors

Amherst College at a Glance

2,017

Total Enrollment

$13,740

Median Debt

22.0%

Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for Amherst College

Test	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	Midpoint
SAT Reading	690	770	730
SAT Math	670	780	725
SAT Total	1360	1550	1455
ACT Composite	31	35	33

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received	12,727
Students Admitted	1,250
Students Enrolled	488
Yield Rate	39.0%

Amherst College Rankings

Ranking	2025	Year
US News Liberal Arts Colleges	#2	2025

Amherst College Overview

Amherst College is a private university in Amherst, MA with 2,017 students. With a 9.8% acceptance rate, it ranks among the most selective institutions in the country. The most popular majors are Social Sciences, Mathematics/Statistics, and Biological Sciences.

Full Name	Amherst College
Location	Amherst, MA 01002-5000
Type	Private
Website	amherst.edu/
Total Enrollment	2,017
Undergrad Enrollment	2,017
Female Students	51.7%

Is Amherst College a Reach, Match, or Safety?

With an acceptance rate of 9.8%, Amherst College is a Reach for most applicants. You'll need a standout application — strong GPA, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays — to have realistic odds here.

Your Profile	Amherst College Is...	What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application	Match	Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths	Reach	Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA	Hard Reach	Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates

Popular Majors at Amherst College

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Social Sciences

17.8%

Mathematics/Statistics

13.7%

Biological Sciences

11.0%

Psychology

9.4%

Computer Science

7.8%

Best Majors at Amherst College →

Student Demographics

White

37.5%

Black/African American

10.6%

Hispanic/Latino

15.6%

Asian

13.8%

International

12.4%

How to Get Into Amherst College

Amherst is a Reach school for nearly all applicants. Competitive applicants typically score 1455+ on the SAT. Beyond grades and scores, Amherst wants to see intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose in your application. Have 2-3 realistic backup schools — even perfect-on-paper students get denied here.

1455

Target SAT Score

Target ACT Score

9.8%

Acceptance Rate

12,727

Total Applicants

What Amherst College Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

Factor	Importance
Academic Gpa	Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Class Rank	Important
Standardized Test Scores	Considered
Application Essay	Very Important
Recommendation	Very Important
Extracurricular Activities	Very Important
Talent Ability	Very Important
Character Personal Qualities	Very Important
First Generation	Important
Alumni Relation	Considered
Interview	Not Considered
Work Experience	Important
Volunteer Work	Important

Amherst College Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the Amherst College ED admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

Deadline	Date
Early Decision	Nov 7
Regular Decision	Jan 5

Early Decision: Amherst College offers binding Early Decision. If accepted, you must enroll and withdraw all other applications. Only apply ED if Amherst College is your clear first choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Amherst College

What is Amherst's acceptance rate?

Amherst has an acceptance rate of 9.8%, making it extremely selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.

What SAT score do I need for Amherst?

The middle 50% SAT range at Amherst is 1360-1550. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 31-35. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.

What are the most popular majors at Amherst?

The most popular majors at Amherst by degrees awarded are: Social Sciences (17.8%), Mathematics/Statistics (13.7%), Biological Sciences (11.0%), Psychology (9.4%), Computer Science (7.8%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.

Can I transfer to Amherst?

Amherst accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.