Amherst College

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Amherst was $66,650 a year.

In 2023, tuition increased 4.96%–from $63,500 the previous year. On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If these numbers sound impossible, remember, the advertized cost of tuition does not tell the full story. Many students owe far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Additionally, student loans can make thecost of college feel more doable until after graduation.

Amherst College meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Amherst College full-time are awarded $68,191 a year in financial aid, on average.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $18,397 per student, not including those with no debt.

Does Amherst College Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Amherst College is a private, nonprofit institution, which means it has the same tuition for residents of Massachusetts as it does for residents from other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Attending a college where you qualify for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan drastically reduce the total cost of attending college. Don't forget to verify your state's requirements for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other Massachusetts colleges

Is Amherst College's Tuition Different for International Students?

Tuition at Amherst College is the same for every student.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or Amherst College-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Amherst College:

•On-campus jobs •Amherst College-specific loans •Amherst College-specific scholarships

---

Amherst College Room, Board, Fees, and More

---

Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Amherst College.

House and Food Costs at Amherst College

Room and board at Amherst College is $17,560 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the Amherst College's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at Amherst College?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have ways for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these costs.

Transportation costs

The total cost of transportation in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. At Amherst College, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can impact your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area is often pricey, but there may be more trains, busses and affordable flights to actually get to school. The Amherst College campus is located in a town in Massachusetts.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, be sure to factor in the cost of things like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

---

Financial Breakdown for Amherst College

---

Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of how much students can expect to shell out for Amherst College.

Total Cost of Amherst College

What will the cost of attending Amherst College be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$66,650
Room and Board	$17,560

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$84,840
Off-Campus	$67,280

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

---

Amherst College Financial Aid

---

The majority of Amherst College undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2023, 1,109 of the 1,898 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Amherst College meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $68,191 a year. Around 26% of Amherst College undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Amherst College graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $18,397 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$13,022
Amherst College-Specific Loans	$2,455
Private Loans	$48,670

Most Common Loans for Amherst College Students
Federal Loans	21%
Institutional Loans	7%
Private loans	4%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Amherst College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Amherst College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Amherst College awarded 1,109 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $74.1 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $1.46 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Amherst College Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Amherst College students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Amherst College was $68,191 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Amherst College seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$16,649
Off-Campus	$-911

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Amherst College really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Amherst College's net cost calculator on their website.

Amherst College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Amherst College does not have guaranteed tuition.

Amherst College offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Amherst Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Amherst College's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about Amherst College's endowment, check with the school directly.

---

Learn More About Amherst College

---

To learn more about Amherst College, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Amherst College