More selective than 93% of Massachusetts colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
38% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 17% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Amherst College over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
Amherst College SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Amherst College is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 740 | 780 |
| SAT math | 750 | 800 |
| ACT composite | 33 | 35 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1490 | 1580 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Amherst College admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 9% | 740–780 | 750–800 | 33–35 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 10% | 690–770 | 670–780 | 31–35 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Amherst College compared with other Massachusetts colleges?
Amherst College has the 5th-lowest acceptance rate of 62 Massachusetts colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University | 4% | 98% | $19,066 |
| 2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 5% | 96% | $20,111 |
| 3 | Northeastern University | 5% | 91% | $30,915 |
| 4 | Williams College | 8% | 94% | $17,716 |
| 5 | Amherst College | 9% | 94% | $23,367 |
| 6 | Boston University | 11% | 89% | $24,402 |
| 7 | Tufts University | 11% | 94% | $39,998 |
| 8 | Wellesley College | 14% | 92% | $25,496 |
| 9 | Boston College | 16% | 91% | $41,704 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Massachusetts colleges →
Who enrolls at Amherst College
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Amherst College admissions questions
What is the Amherst College acceptance rate?
Amherst College accepts 9% of applicants, about 1 in 11. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 1,250 of 12,727 applicants were admitted.
Does Amherst College require the SAT or ACT?
Amherst College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 38% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 17% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Amherst College?
The middle 50% of Amherst College enrolled first-year students scored 1490–1580 on the SAT and 33–35 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Amherst College?
39% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (488 of 1,250).
Is Amherst College getting harder to get into?
Amherst College accepted 9% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 10% for Fall 2023.
Is Amherst College the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Amherst College overview