Amherst
Amherst College · Amherst, Massachusetts · Private
Amherst admitted 7.7% of 15,819 applicants (Common Data Set 2025-2026). First-year students who sent the SAT scored 1470–1540 in the middle half. Test scores are optional. 93% of students graduate within six years.
Your chances at Amherst
Enter a score to see whether Amherst is a reach, target or likely school for you.
It admits 7.7% of applicants, so it’s a reach for everyone, even with perfect scores.
A rough read from the admit rate and test scores only. Grades, courses, essays and activities matter as much or more.
Early decision and early action
Early decision applicants were admitted at 22% (216 of 971), compared with 7.7% for all applicants.
Early applicants often include recruited athletes and students with stronger applications, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps one student.
1,294 students were offered a spot on the waitlist, 740 took it, and 44 were admitted from it.
What admissions weighs
How Amherst rates each part of an application, from its Common Data Set.
Very important
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Test scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Activities
- Talent or ability
Important
- Class rank
- Character
- First generation
- Volunteering
- Work experience
Considered
- Where you live
Not considered
- Interview
- Legacy
- State residency
- Religion
- Showing interest
What it costs
Full price with housing is $87,640 a year. After grants, students paid $17,965 on average.
Average price after grants, by family income:
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