Colleges in Amherst, Massachusetts
3 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 3 colleges and universities in Amherst, Massachusetts (2 Private nonprofit, 1 Public). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 3 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $23,367 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 83.3%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 60% of applicants.
The median net price in Amherst runs about $1,516 lower than the Massachusetts statewide median of $24,883.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Amherst, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$23,367
After aid
Median grad rate
83.3%
6-year
Median admission rate
60%
Median enrollment
1,911
Undergrad
All colleges in Amherst
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA | MA | Public, 4-year | $22,383 | 83.3% | 60% | 23,671 | Complete | |
| Amherst College Amherst, MA | MA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $23,367 | 93.9% | 9% | 1,911 | Complete | |
| Hampshire College Amherst, MA | MA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $24,034 | 54.3% | 75% | 839 | Complete |
By institution type
Private nonprofit (2)
Private nonprofit colleges in Amherst are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Amherst CollegeNet price: $23,367Grad: 93.9%
- Hampshire CollegeNet price: $24,034Grad: 54.3%
Public (1)
Public colleges in Amherst are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- University of Massachusetts-AmherstNet price: $22,383Grad: 83.3%
Top programs in Amherst
Most-completed programs across Amherst colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Business14.5% of degrees
- Social sciences10.6% of degrees
- Biological sciences10.2% of degrees
- Psychology7.3% of degrees
- Interdisciplinary7.3% of degrees
- Computer science7.0% of degrees
- Engineering6.5% of degrees
- Health professions4.5% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Amherst
Q.How many colleges are in Amherst, Massachusetts?
There are 3 colleges and universities in Amherst, Massachusetts that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 2 Private nonprofit, 1 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Amherst?
By undergraduate enrollment, University of Massachusetts-Amherst is the largest institution in Amherst with roughly 23,671 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Amherst?
Based on average net price after aid, University of Massachusetts-Amherst is the most affordable institution in Amherst at $22,383 per year.
Q.Which Amherst college has the highest graduation rate?
Amherst College reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Amherst institutions at 93.9%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Amherst?
The median net price across all 3 colleges in Amherst is $23,367 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Amherst?
Across Amherst colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Business, Social sciences, Biological sciences.
Q.Are there community colleges in Amherst?
Yes — Amherst includes 1 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Massachusetts
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Amherst that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.