Students at Amherst College achieve earnings that far exceed those of similar students at other institutions, reflecting one of the strongest financial advantages available in higher education.
The combination of exceptional long-term earnings and generous need-based financial aid creates transformative economic opportunities for graduates across income backgrounds.
Amherst College delivers exceptional return on investment, ranking among the top tier of all institutions nationwide for long-term earnings outcomes. With graduates earning a median of $77,644 ten years after enrollment and achieving earnings that exceed expectations by over $10,500 annually, Amherst demonstrates how a premium liberal arts education translates into substantial financial advantages. The college's 93% six-year graduation rate and strong alumni network create pathways to high-paying careers that justify the significant upfront investment.
What makes Amherst distinctive is its ability to combine academic excellence with remarkable financial outcomes across diverse fields of study. Students benefit from small class sizes, close faculty mentorship, and access to opportunities that lead to careers in consulting, finance, law, medicine, and other high-earning professions. The college serves about 22% Pell Grant recipients and 21% first-generation students, though access remains limited by the institution's highly selective admissions process.
As one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges, Amherst offers an intensive, personalized educational experience that consistently produces graduates who outperform earnings expectations. For families who can manage the substantial costs, Amherst represents one of the strongest long-term investments in higher education available.
Amherst College's liberal arts programs consistently deliver strong financial outcomes across diverse fields of study, reflecting the institution's ability to prepare students for high-earning careers regardless of major choice. Applied Economics leads both in scale and financial returns, with 74 graduates earning $74,576 ten years out, demonstrating how the college's rigorous analytical training translates directly into lucrative opportunities in finance, consulting, and policy work. Mathematics represents the largest single program with 68 graduates earning $67,660, while American History majors achieve equally strong outcomes at $74,576, showing how Amherst's liberal arts foundation opens doors to diverse high-paying career paths.
Even programs with more moderate early earnings demonstrate the college's long-term value proposition. Behavioral Neuroscience graduates start at $46,087 but benefit from exceptional graduate school placement rates and research opportunities that lead to careers in medicine, research, and biotechnology. The college's small program scale creates intensive mentorship opportunities and close faculty relationships that prove invaluable for graduate school admissions and professional networking.
Amherst's strength lies in its ability to combine rigorous liberal arts education with strategic career preparation across all fields. The college's prestigious alumni network, combined with its reputation among elite employers, creates pathways to high-mobility careers that continue appreciating in value over time, making even traditionally lower-earning liberal arts majors financially competitive with more obviously pre-professional programs.
Amherst College graduates achieve exceptional long-term financial outcomes that place the institution among the very best in the country. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $77,644, with the college ranking in the 92nd percentile nationally for earnings performance. Even more impressive, Amherst graduates earn approximately $10,571 more annually than similar students at other institutions, demonstrating substantial earnings beyond expectations that reflect the college's ability to open doors to high-paying career opportunities.
The college's program mix drives these strong outcomes through a combination of rigorous liberal arts training and strategic career preparation. Applied Economics stands out as both the highest-return major and a significant driver of overall outcomes, with 74 graduates earning a median of $74,576 ten years out. Mathematics (Algebra and Number Theory) represents the largest program footprint with 68 graduates earning $67,660, while American History majors achieve some of the highest individual earnings at $74,576. Even programs like Behavioral Neuroscience, which show more moderate early earnings at $46,087, benefit from Amherst's strong graduate school placement and professional network access.
Amherst's liberal arts foundation, combined with exceptional alumni networks in finance, consulting, law, and other high-mobility professions, creates pathways to careers that continue appreciating in value over time. The college's small size and prestigious reputation provide graduates with access to opportunities and mentorship that translate directly into superior long-term earning power.
Amherst College demonstrates a strong commitment to affordability for families across the income spectrum, though the financial model requires careful planning. Low-income students pay just $1,888 annually after aid, representing exceptional value and placing Amherst among the most generous institutions nationally for need-based assistance. Middle-income families see net prices around $6,112, still remarkably affordable given the quality of education and long-term outcomes. However, high-income families face substantial costs of approximately $50,358 annually, reflecting the college's premium positioning.
Debt levels remain manageable for most students despite the high sticker price. Typical federal student loan debt is $13,740, well below national averages and easily serviceable given Amherst's strong earnings outcomes. The college's generous financial aid program means that most students graduate with minimal debt relative to their earning potential. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $48,810, which represents a significant family investment but one that many Amherst families can sustain given their income levels and the long-term value proposition.
What makes Amherst's affordability model work is the combination of generous need-based aid for lower-income students and exceptional outcomes that justify costs for higher-income families. With a 0% federal loan default rate and 89% of borrowers successfully repaying loans, the college demonstrates that its graduates can comfortably manage their educational investments while building substantial long-term wealth.
Amherst College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
