Amherst, MA · Private University
Is Amherst College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$77,644
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$67,280
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$67,280
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$269,120
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.15x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
93.4%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$13,740
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$18,246
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Amherst College graduates earn $32,644 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Amherst College ranked by graduate earnings
29 graduates
25 graduates
32 graduates
27 graduates
21 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Amherst College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Amherst College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $194,751) and the lowest (Neurobiology and Neurosciences: $38,387) is $156,364/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $194,751 | 2.9x |
| Economics | $127,636 | 1.9x |
| History | $114,276 | 1.7x |
| Mathematics | $109,199 | 1.6x |
| Political Science and Government | $59,433 | 0.9x |
| Area Studies | $49,923 | 0.7x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics(1yr data) | $49,322 | 0.7x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $49,206 | 0.7x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $45,786 | 0.7x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies(1yr data) | $40,120 | 0.6x |
| Neurobiology and NeurosciencesLowest(1yr data) | $38,387 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst College | 1.15x | $77,644 | Average ROI |
| Hamilton College | 1.19x | $78,411 | Average ROI |
| Bowdoin College | 1.27x | $82,735 | Average ROI |
| Wellesley College | 1.32x | $84,803 | Average ROI |
| Middlebury College | 1.17x | $76,310 | Average ROI |
| Haverford College | 1.17x | $79,966 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Amherst College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $77,644 10 years after starting — $32,644 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.3 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.