Since our 1821 founding, Amherst has demonstrated steadfast confidence in the value of the liberal arts and the importance of critical thinking. Small classes, an open curriculum and a singular focus on undergraduate education ensure that leading scholars engage daily with talented, curious students, equipping them for leadership in an increasingly global and complex world.
By the Numbers
more facts
70
Students come to Amherst from 70 countries, including many that are historically underrepresented in higher education.
400+
No distribution requirements. No core curriculum. Only 850+ courses each term and 1,800 students with the vision and courage to choose courses that matter most to them.
$68,000+
Amherst’s financial aid program is among the most comprehensive and ambitious in the nation, with an average aid award of $68,000+ in 2023-24.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Amherst is proud of its work to recruit, admit, and enroll a diverse student body. We’re dedicated to creating a sense of belonging in our close-knit community.
Things to Do and See
The Powerhouse
Amherst’s own nightclub — a renovated steam plant — is a popular spot for live performances, movie screenings, art exhibits, panel discussions, pub nights, outdoor picnics, and more.
The Powerhouse
Beneski Museum of Natural History
Explore three floors of exhibits and thousands of specimens, including the world’s largest collection of dinosaur tracks and North America’s first confirmed evidence of a dinosaur. The same building also houses our geology department.
Beneski Museum
Mead Art Museum
The College’s own art museum contains more than 19,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of global culture. Students come here to view the latest exhibitions, see favorite artworks, take classes, and meet friends.
The Mead
The Emily Dickinson Museum
Visit The Homestead, where the poet Emily Dickinson was born and lived most of her life, and The Evergreens, home of her brother and his family.
Emily Dickinson Museum
The Wildlife Sanctuary
Explore 500 acres of open fields, wetlands, woods and ponds—without ever leaving campus. Highlights include the Fort River, a trail system and a variety of wild friends, including downy woodpeckers, turtles, and foxes.
Explore Our 500 Acres
Our own 20-acre farm was conceived by students, who work the farm (along with dedicated staff) to grow vegetables for the dining hall, a CSA, and for donation to local food pantries.
Explore the farm
Memorial Hill
Living on campus means seeing breathtaking views of the Mount Holyoke Range every day. Students come to Memorial Hill to take in the view, reflect, relax, and connect.
Johnson Chapel
Dedicated in 1827, Johnson Chapel is home to many of the College’s most prominent events, as well as the English department and film and media studies program. The chapel walls are lined with portraits of Amherst presidents, alumni, and others.
Johnson Chapel Portraits
Yushien Japanese Garden
Nestled between Webster Hall and Kirby Theater is our Japanese garden, with carefully tended stone steps, trees, and flowering shrubs. The Yushien (roughly translated as “Garden of Friendship”) celebrates the strong ties between Amherst College and Doshisha University in Japan.
Kirby Theater
Kirby Memorial Theater is a state-of-the-art performance venue with 384 seats and computerized lighting and sound equipment. Just behind Kirby is the Holden Experimental Theater.
Amherst College Theaters
Events
There’s always something fun to do at Amherst! We host gatherings, speakers, exhibitions, athletic events, performances, and more throughout the year. Our seasonal festivals offer snacks, games, and performances, including by the Zumbyes singing group, shown. (Yes, that is a banana costume.)
Event Calendar
The town of Amherst is home to a vibrant community of 35,000 people. More than 30,000 college students live in Amherst during the academic year. Our walkable downtown is filled with restaurants, coffee houses, a movie theater, and a live-music venue.
Celebrating Our Alumni
From college presidents to CEOs to Pulitzer Prize winners, our alumni are amazing.
About Our Alumni
Sustainability
Sustainability is a core principle that guides all of our operations—from the food served (and grown on our campus farm) to the vehicles driven. With our Climate Action Plan, we aim to achieve climate neutrality by 2030.
Sustainability Climate Action Plan
College Leadership
Meet our president, Michael A. Elliott ’92, and our Board of Trustees.
President Trustees
Amherst Traditions
Our mascot is the Mammoth. We’re the “Singing College“ and the “Writing College.” And every Amherst graduate is given a Conway Cane.
Amherst Traditions Amherst’s Mascot
Amherst History
For over two centuries, Amherst has been educating a talented, diverse student body. See Amherst’s historical “firsts,” visit our Bicentennial pages, see an interactive timeline, and more.
Amherst History
Bringing Amherst into Focus
For a glimpse into life at Amherst, see our latest slideshows and videos.
Amherst in Pictures Amherst in Videos
