1. Home
  2. Education
  3. College Admissions

Amherst College - SAT Scores, Costs and Admissions Data

By , About.com Guide

Qin Zhi Lau / Wikimedia Commons

Amherst Chapel

Amherst College Description:

Located in a small town in Western Massachusetts, Amherst usually stands #1 or #2 in rankings of top liberal arts colleges. It is also one of the most selective colleges in the United States. Students can round out the Amherst course offerings with classes from the other excellent schools in the five-college consortium: Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, Hampshire College, and University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Amherst has an interesting open curriculum with no distribution requirements, and the college is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Admissions Data (2008):

Enrollment (2007):

  • Total Enrollment: 1,683
  • Gender Breakdown: 50.4% Male / 49.6% Female
  • 100% Full-time

Costs (2008 - 09):

  • Tuition and Fees: $37,640
  • Books: $1,000
  • Room and Board: $9,790
  • Other Expenses: $1,800
  • Total Cost: $50,230

Amherst College Financial Aid (2006 - 07):

  • Percentage of Students Receiving Aid: 57%
  • Percentage of Students Receiving Types of Aid
    • Federal Grants: 20%
    • State / Local Grants: 4%
    • Institutional Grants: 54%
    • Loans: 29%
  • Average Amount of Aid
    • Federal Grants: $4,112
    • State / Local Grants: $2,303
    • Institutional Grants: $29,624
    • Loans: $3,210

Most Popular Majors:

Biology, Economics, English, History, Political Science

Data Source:

National Center for Educational Statistics

Amherst Mission Statement:

Amherst College seeks to provide the very best liberal arts education to undergraduate students and outstanding support to a faculty engaged in teaching and research. The College brings a diverse group of distinguished faculty members and exceptional students together in a residential setting conducive to personal and intellectual development. It encourages faculty to contribute to their disciplines and to society through scholarship, performance or professional work. Amherst promotes breadth of study for all students through its advising system and depth through its departmental majors. An Amherst education fosters critical thought and creative achievement in the sciences, arts and humanities by emphasizing close interaction between faculty and students and by offering vigorous support for independent research.

Explore College Admissions

About.com Special Features

A Smarter Future

Tips that will help finance your education, excel in the classroom, and advance your career. More >

How to Ace the GRE

Being well prepared is the first step; here are more essential suggestions. More >

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. College Admissions
  4. Choosing a College
  5. College Profiles
  6. Amherst College Profile - SAT Scores and Admissions Data for Amherst College>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.