CollegeCalcAI
Most selectiveUpdated for the 2025-2026 cycle

Amherst College acceptance rate and admissions profile

Amherst College is a private university in Massachusetts with a 9% acceptance rate, which makes it most selective. Here is what it looks for, where it sits among Massachusetts schools, and how to estimate your own odds with CollegeCalcAI.

Acceptance rate
9%
Most selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1540
of admitted students
Type
Private
Massachusetts
Selectivity in state
#4
of 36 in MA
Get your real chances at Amherst College
CollegeCalcAI computes a personalized acceptance estimate from your GPA, scores, and activities. Free, no account.
Open the calculator

What Amherst College looks for

What Amherst College weighs most heavily in its admissions review, modeled from its selectivity and profile.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Considered
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Very important
Recommendations
Very important
Interview
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Important
Talent / ability
Important
Character / personal qualities
Very important
First-generation status
Considered
Alumni / legacy relation
Considered
Geographical residence
Considered
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered
Level of applicant interest
Considered

SAT score positioning at Amherst College

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at Amherst College
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500In the competitive admitted range
1400Well below the admitted range
1300Well below the admitted range
1200Well below the admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range

How Amherst College compares in Massachusetts

Amherst College ranks #4 most selective of 36 schools in Massachusetts in our database.

Harvard University
3%acceptance · MA
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
4%acceptance · MA
Northeastern University
7%acceptance · MA
Tufts University
10%acceptance · MA
Williams College
10%acceptance · MA
Wellesley College
13%acceptance · MA
Boston University
14%acceptance · MA
Boston College
15%acceptance · MA
See all Massachusetts schools →

Similar to Amherst College

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Cornell University
9%acceptance · NY
Bowdoin College
9%acceptance · ME
Claremont McKenna College
9%acceptance · CA
Swarthmore College
9%acceptance · PA
Rice University
8%acceptance · TX
New York University
8%acceptance · NY

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to get into Amherst College?

Amherst College has a 9% acceptance rate, which makes it most selective — it admits roughly one in ten applicants or fewer. Admission depends on how your full profile compares to its admitted students, not on scores alone.

What SAT score do you need for Amherst College?

There is no hard cutoff, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1540. A score at or above the admitted range strengthens your application; CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds.

What does Amherst College value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, Amherst College weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic gpa, application essay most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

What are my chances of getting into Amherst College?

Your chances depend on your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities together. Use the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance estimate for Amherst College in a few minutes, no account required.

Want the deeper guide? Read our full Amherst College chances guide →

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.