Amherst College Tuition and Fees

(Last Updated – 01/2025)
Total Cost of Attendance
Amherst College, located in Amherst, Massachusetts, is a private liberal arts college. Founded in 1821, it’s one of the Five Colleges, a consortium that includes Smith, Mount Holyoke, and Hampshire Colleges along with the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This consortium allows students to take courses at any of the schools.
In 2023-24, Amherst tuition and fees were $67,280, which is much higher than the average tuition and fees for private institutions of $43,350. Tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
Costs 2023-24 |
|
Tuition & Fees |
$67,280 |
Books & Supplies |
$1,000 |
Room & Board |
$17,560 |
Other Expenses |
$1,800 |
Total Cost of Attendance |
$87,640 |
Financial Aid
At Amherst, 65% of students use one or more forms of financial aid to pay tuition, including loans, scholarships, and grants. Twenty-one percent of students receive Pell Grants, which is a federal student loan program for students who demonstrate an exceptional financial need. Amherst is “need-blind:” A prospective student’s ability to pay for college won’t be considered when they apply.
Learn more about student loan and scholarship options before applying to college.
Explore financial aid options: Massachusetts Student Loan & Scholarships.
Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need or merit. Students that qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.
The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:
• Scholarships: TThese can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.
• Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and nonprofit organizations.
• Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.
• Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.
Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal and school deadlines may differ.
You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:
• US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state
• College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid
Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans
Private Student Loans
Private student loans are a funding option that can help students bridge the gap between federal financial aid and the cost of attendance. At Amherst, 5% of students take out federal loans, while 3% borrow private student loans averaging $15,657.
Learn more about borrowing money for school with this student loans guide.
Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.
What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.
Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, since it generally has better rates and terms.
If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.
Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans
Projected 4-Year-Degree Price
The projected price of a four-year degree from Amherst College is $350,560, based on 2023-24 tuition prices according to the National Center for Education Statistics. For comparison, the national average cost of a four-year bachelor’s degree at a private institution is $241,680, according to CollegeData.com.
This student loan and scholarship information may be valuable as you research schools and costs.
Undergraduate Tuition and Fees
In 2023-24, the cost of Amherst, including tuition and fees plus books and supplies, totaled $68,280. In-state and out-of-state students pay the same amount. For comparison, the average cost to attend a private nonprofit institution is $43,350, according to the College Board.
Costs 2023-24
Tuition & Fees |
$67,280 |
Books & Supplies |
$1,000 |
Total |
$68,280 |
Graduate Tuition and Fees
Amherst College does not offer any graduate programs, but 80% of alumni go onto graduate or professional schools for additional education.
To attend graduate school at Dartmouth College, the cost of tuition and fees totaled $64,068 for students in 2023-24. This is much higher than the national average for one year at a private institution of $15,100.
After graduating from Amherst, if you decide to pursue additional education, there are graduate loans available to help with these costs.
Cost per Credit Hour
Amherst doesn’t offer a breakdown of the cost per credit hour. Annual tuition at Amherst is $67,280, and students must complete 32 classes over four years to graduate.
Students, with some exceptions, are required to take four full courses each semester. Students may also sign up for one or two half courses in addition to four full courses without seeking special permission. Half courses are not normally included in the requirement of thirty-two courses for the degree. Amherst students can not take more classes to accelerate their graduation.
Campus Housing Expenses
Amherst College guarantees housing for all four years, and the majority of students live on campus. There are 34 residential halls across the campus, and students are guaranteed on-campus housing for all four years. There are six residence areas on campus: First-Year Quad East; First-Year Quad West; Central Campus; Greenways, King, Wieland; North Campus; and West Campus. First-year students are required to live on campus in one of the seven buildings that are part of the first-year quads. After their first year, students can apply to live off campus where there are many apartments, duplexes, and houses located nearby. Amherst College does not offer an off-campus listings service, but nearby UMass Amherst has an off-campus housing site that features housing in the area.
Student Type |
On-Campus |
Off-Campus |
Room & Board |
$17,560 |
$17,560 |
Other Expenses |
$1,800 |
$1,800 |
Amherst College Acceptance Rate
Fall 2023 |
|
Number of applications |
28,841 |
Number accepted |
1,730 |
Percentage Accepted |
6% |
As an Ivy League institution, Dartmouth is very competitive when it comes to admissions. The Dartmouth acceptance rate is just 6%. To put that rate in perspective, it means that in the fall of 2023, only 1,730 students were accepted to the school out of the 28,841 who applied.
Admission Requirements
The deadline to apply for early decision at Amherst is November 8, and the regular decision deadline is January 6. Here’s a list of what prospective students need to submit to apply.
Required:
• High school transcript
• Amherst College Writing supplement
• School report
• Counselor letter of recommendation
• Two teacher recommendations
Optional:
• SAT or ACT scores
SAT and ACT Scores
Students applying to Amherst have the option to submit SAT and ACT scores. The school recommends submitting all test results, since they evaluate applications based on the most advantageous combination of scores for either the SAT and/or ACT, regardless of test date. Here are the standardized test scores at the 25th and 75th percentile for students who applied for fall 2023:
Subject |
25th Percentile |
75th Percentile |
SAT Evidence-Based |
690 |
770 |
SAT Math |
670 |
780 |
ACT Composite |
31 |
35 |
ACT English |
32 |
35 |
ACT Math |
28 |
35 |
Popular Majors at Dartmouth College
Amherst is a small college with a 7:1 student-to-professor ratio. Students can choose from 41 majors in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The college offers more than 850 courses on its campus, and students can also select from more than 6,000 classes through the Five College Consortium. Here are the most popular majors at Amherst.
1. Economics
Economics majors learn to apply data, empirical methods, and economic theory to study real-world events. Classes include pluralist economics, economics and psychology, antiracist antieconomics, industrial organization, monetary theory and policy, and more. Amherst counts two Nobel laureates among their alumni.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 56
2. Computer Science
Computer science majors dive into topics like artificial intelligence, big data, cryptography, and more. Students have the opportunity to study abroad at renowned institutions including AIT Budapest, DIS Study in Scandinavia, King’s College London, University of Hong Kong, and more. Senior year, students can work on an in-depth honors thesis with the help of a faculty member.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 51
3. Biochemistry & Biophysics
The interdisciplinary BCBP major — considered one of the most challenging majors at Amherst — requires students to take courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and computer science. Students have opportunities to participate in a summer research experience and/or to pursue honors research as a senior. Amherst offers a summer incubator program designed for students who are underrepresented in STEM disciplines, including Black, Latinx, Indigenous, first-generation, and low-income students.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 37
4. Mathematics & Statistics
Statistics and math majors at Amherst receive a liberal arts education covering a range of pure and applied topics. Statistics majors take classes like introduction to statistics via modeling, statistics communication, data science, while math majors study calculus and linear algebra, as well as how math is applied in other subjects such as computer science or economics. Graduates of Amherst’s math or statistics programs go onto careers in finance, medicine, education, law, tech, and government, as well as pursue graduate degrees in pure and applied mathematics, statistics, and data science, as well as other related disciplines.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 36
5. Biology
The Biology curriculum at Amherst is designed to prepare students for postgraduate work in biology or allied careers, and many students spend their senior year working on a thesis project. Students can choose an area of specialization including evolution, microbiology, neurobiology, or genome biology. Students get hands-on learning experience in labs in addition to taking classes like evolutionary biology, disease ecology, molecular and cellular biophysics, and more.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 22
6. English
The Amherst Writing College is one of the most renowned programs in the world, and it counts major names in literature among its alumni and faculty, including Robert Frost, David Foster Wallace, and Kirun Kapur. Amherst English majors learn how to analyze, critique, and create work in all different media and modes. Students take classes in poetry, film, novels, television shows, drama, memoir, even podcasts.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 19
7. Political Science
Political science majors can choose from three areas of study: political theory; domestic politics and state-society relations; and international politics and practices. Students take specialized seminars, research seminars, and surveys as they sharpen their analytical and communication skills. Political science majors can apply for a Lantham scholarship to help offset the cost of spending the summer working as interns in Washington, D.C., in offices of the federal government, or in other positions in public service.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 17
8. History
History majors at Amherst are taught to analyze texts and documents; how to frame research questions; and how to write historical analyses. Students can choose to concentrate their studies on a geographic region or on a theme, like cultures, ideas, and emotions, or histories of race and racism. Many history majors take the opportunity to study abroad at programs in Spain, South Africa, and Greece among other destinations.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 17
9. Chemistry
Are you a history lover? You’ll love diving into classes like Turning Points in American History, The Making of the Modern World Economy, The Intellectual History of Capitalism, Modern Germany: 1871-1990, The Russian Revolution, and Twentieth-Century Latin America.The Amherst chemistry department is certified by the American Chemical Society and offers coursework in chemistry, biology, physics, and materials science. Students may also have the opportunity to assist faculty in research projects dealing with inorganic and hybrid materials synthesis, high-resolution molecular spectroscopy of jet-cooled species, and more.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 13
10. Art & the History of Art
Amherst offers two areas of study in this department: History of Art and the Practice of Art. The History of Art program looks at architecture, painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and material culture from different periods and countries around the world. The Practice of Art offers students the chance to explore a broad range of media and artistic techniques. The studio faculty are all working artists with experience in both making and teaching art. Fayerweather Hall, home to the department of art and the history of art, has painting and drawing rooms, a sculpture studio, a print studio, a photography darkroom, a black box video studio, digital lab, woodshop, and the Eli Marsh Gallery.
Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 10
Graduation Rate
The majority of Amherst students graduate within four years. The graduate rates at Amherst College for students who began their studies in the fall of 2017 are as follows:
• 4 years: 73%
• 6 years: 93%
Post-Graduation Median Earnings
Ten years after starting at Amherst College, students earn a median wage of $77,644 a year. This is higher than the national average for the class of 2024 of $68,516.
Bottom Line
Though Amherst is a small institution, the fact that it is one of the Five Colleges means students have ample opportunity to take whatever courses of study interest them. And while the tuition is higher than the average private college, there are many options for financial aid available, so paying for college shouldn’t be an issue.
Photo credit: iStock/
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