At schools with acceptance rates below 10%, nearly every applicant has near-perfect grades and test scores. Admissions decisions are driven by essays, extracurriculars, recommendations, and institutional priorities — factors no stats-based model can predict. Our likelihood labels reflect academic competitiveness only.
Amherst College is one of the most prestigious liberal arts colleges in the nation, distinguished by its Open Curriculum that allows students to explore freely without distribution requirements. As a member of the Five College Consortium, Amherst students can cross-register at UMass Amherst, Smith, Mount Holyoke, and Hampshire colleges.
Mascot: Mammoth
Notable Alumni
Calvin Coolidge (30th U.S. President)•Dan Brown (author of The Da Vinci Code)•David Foster Wallace (acclaimed novelist)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Athletics
Campus Experience
Amherst abolished fraternities in 1984, and the social scene has evolved into something distinctly its own — small dorm parties, theme house events, and the open curriculum's intellectual freedom create a culture that's cerebral-first. The Five College Consortium (sharing resources with UMass, Smith, Mt. Holyoke, and Hampshire) is the social pressure valve. Academics are genuinely intense, with the open curriculum putting the onus on students to build a rigorous path rather than follow one.
A hilltop campus with sweeping views of the Holyoke Range, featuring handsome red-brick Colonial and Georgian buildings set among manicured lawns and mature hardwoods.
Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.
Safety
Amherst College Police provide 24/7 campus coverage with building access control and escort services. The small student body and transparent reporting culture mean per-capita numbers can appear elevated.
The town of Amherst is a quiet, rural New England college community with crime rates well below national averages. The Five College Consortium area is peaceful and walkable.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Plan Your Visit
Schedule: Weekdays during the academic year with advance registration required.
Duration: ~1 hour for campus tour
Admission Office at 220 South Pleasant Street. Gather outside the office for tours. Virtual tour and self-guided PDF booklet available as alternatives.
Book a TourDownload the self-guided tour booklet and campus map PDF from the admissions site. Interactive campus map also available online.
Tour ResourcesSeptember-October for stunning Pioneer Valley fall foliage and full campus energy. Late April is also excellent with spring events. Avoid January-February (cold, snowy) and summer when the small campus feels empty. The Five College Consortium means lots of activity year-round during the academic year.
Visitor spaces directly in front of the Admission Office at 220 South Pleasant St, plus the lot behind it, the Orr Rink Parking Lot, and Hitchcock Road. After 4:30pm, visitors can park in any valid campus space. Overflow in the Alumni Lot (10-min walk). Bradley International Airport (BDL) is 50 minutes south. Boston Logan is ~2 hours. Amtrak Vermonter stops in Northampton (15 min away). Peter Pan bus serves Amherst.
Location
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