Campus Identity
Amherst College is a small private nonprofit college in Amherst, MA. Approximately 1,911 students are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 9% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Quabbin Reservoir, just 8 miles from the water. Ski resorts are within 23 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 34/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
Follow Along
@AmherstCollege
Follow on X (Twitter)
At a Glance
Amherst College is a small private nonprofit college in Amherst, MA. Approximately 1,911 students are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 9% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Quabbin Reservoir, just 8 miles from the water. Ski resorts are within 23 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 34/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Campus Lifestyle
Amherst College is a 1,000–4,999, urban school with NCAA D3 athletics and an active Greek scene. The campus is 12 miles from Eaglebrook School.
Athletics
NCAA D3
New England Small College Athletic
Greek Life
Active Organizations
Fraternities & sororities present
School Size & Setting
1,000–4,999
Urban setting
Weather
Cold Climate
41°F avg school-year
Nearby Ski Resorts
Amherst College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Eaglebrook School, 12 miles away. All are within 25 miles of campus.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Lake Life Campus
Quabbin Reservoir is 8 miles from campus, making it a true lake-life school, giving Amherst College students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.
Quabbin Reservoir
Lake access within 7.5 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Amherst, MA
Amherst has a cool climate, with winters averaging 24°F in Jan and summers peaking around 72°F in Jul.
Station: AMHERST · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
Amherst College in MA earns a composite safety score of 34/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $70,480 |
| Fees | $460 |
| Room & Board | $18,390 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $89,330 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
34 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Amherst College located?
Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA. The main campus address is Boltwood Avenue, Amherst, MA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at Amherst College?
Amherst College has an acceptance rate of 9%, making it extremely selective. Out of 13,743 applicants, 1,238 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,911 students enrolled.
What ACT score do you need for Amherst College?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Amherst College scored between 33 and 35 on the ACT, with a median of 34. About 22% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend Amherst College?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Amherst College charges $70,480/year in tuition. Including room and board ($18,390/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $61,160/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $23,367/year — what students actually pay. Use Amherst College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
What is the application fee for Amherst College?
The undergraduate application fee at Amherst College is $65. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.
Does Amherst College have college sports?
Yes — Amherst College competes at the NCAA D3 level in the New England Small College Athletic. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.
Is Amherst College the right fit for me?
Whether Amherst College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (9% admit rate), avg net price ($23,367/year after aid), campus culture in Amherst, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Amherst College against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Amherst College directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Private
- Location
- Amherst, MA
- Size
- 1,000–4,999
- Degrees Offered
- Bachelor's
- NCAA
- NCAA D3
- Conference
- New England Small College Athletic
- School Year Weather
- Cold · 41°F avg
- App Fee
- $65
- On Campus Safety Score
- 34/100
- Nearest Airport
- Chicopee, MA (CEF) · 12 mialso BAF (18 mi), BDL (31 mi)
Location
Amherst, MA