Amherst College's published cost of attendance reaches $83,650 annually, including $67,280 in tuition, $17,560 for room and board, and $1,000 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less due to substantial financial aid.
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $83,650 |
| Tuition and Fees | $67,280 |
| Room and Board | $17,560 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$65,404 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $18,246 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $1,888 |
| $30–48k | $1,868 |
| $48–75k | $6,112 |
| $75–110k | $20,179 |
| $110k+ | $50,358 |
Amherst College's published cost of attendance reaches $83,650 annually, including $67,280 in tuition, $17,560 for room and board, and $1,000 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less due to substantial financial aid. The average net price after aid is $18,246, representing financial aid savings of $65,404 annually.
This places Amherst's net price $3,566 below the peer median of $21,812, making it more affordable than typical four-year institutions despite its elite status. Net prices vary dramatically by family income, ranging from $1,888 for families earning under $30,000 to $50,358 for families earning over $110,000. This progressive aid structure demonstrates Amherst's commitment to affordability across income levels.
Amherst College enrolls 21.6% Pell-eligible students, indicating meaningful access for lower-income students despite the college's selective admission standards. The $65,404 average financial aid savings represents a 78% discount from the published cost of attendance, demonstrating the institution's substantial commitment to affordability.
Net prices by income tier show particularly generous aid for families earning under $75,000, who pay between $1,868 and $6,112 annually. Even middle-income families earning $75,000-$110,000 pay $20,179, still below the overall average net price.
This aid concentration toward lower and middle-income families enables the college to maintain economic diversity within its student body. The significant gap between sticker price and actual costs reflects Amherst's endowment strength and institutional priority on need-based aid rather than merit-based discounting.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
Amherst College graduates carry exceptionally low debt burdens compared to national and peer benchmarks. Median student debt is $13,740, with debt ranging from $5,500 at the 25th percentile to $19,500 at the 75th percentile.
This median debt level ranks in the 88th percentile nationally, indicating that Amherst students borrow significantly less than typical college graduates. Compared to the peer median debt of $25,000, Amherst students graduate with $11,260 less debt on average.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.18 indicates that typical graduates owe less than one-fifth of their first-year earnings, creating favorable conditions for loan repayment. Parent PLUS borrowers carry a median debt of $48,810 with monthly payments of $643.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Amherst College delivers exceptional return on investment through the combination of strong earnings outcomes and controlled educational costs. Graduates earn $10,570 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Amherst in the 86.5th percentile for earnings uplift.
With median earnings of $77,644 ranking in the 92nd percentile nationally and $27,232 above the peer median, graduates significantly outperform typical four-year college outcomes. The favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.18, combined with below-peer debt levels, creates sustainable financial conditions for career flexibility and long-term wealth building.
Net prices that average $3,566 below peer institutions further enhance the value proposition. Top-performing programs like Applied Economics (#4 nationally), Computer Science (#11 nationally), and American History (#1 nationally) demonstrate institutional strength across diverse academic fields.
