Applicants, Acceptance Rate, Yield Trends at Amherst

60.40%

Applicants - since 2015

-5.11%

Acceptance Rate

The average acceptance rate at Amherst over the past 10 years is 11.17%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 9.01%. Amherst is highly selective, and gaining admission is challenging for most applicants.

The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 39.62%, and the 2025 yield is 38.77%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 1.65% from 2015 to 2025.

The number of Amherst applicants increased by 7.98% (1,016 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 60.40% overall.

Key Takeaways: Amherst Admission Metrics

Acceptance Rate Overview

The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 9.01%, representing an increasingly selective admissions process. This indicates that Amherst has become more competitive over the past decade, as the institution receives a growing number of applications while maintaining or reducing the number of admitted students.

Yield Rate & Enrollment Patterns

The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 38.77%. This stable yield rate reflects consistent conversion of admissions offers into actual enrollments at Amherst. The stability indicates predictable enrollment outcomes and sustainable admission practices.

Application Volume & Admission Trends

For the 2025 admission cycle, Amherst received approximately 13,743 applications, admitted 1,238 students, and enrolled 480 students. The rising application volume trend indicates that Amherst is attracting an increasing number of prospective students over time. This growth in applications typically reflects enhanced institutional visibility, improved marketing initiatives, or increasing perceived value in the higher education market.

Acceptance Rate Changes

Amherst 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at Amherst over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 11.17%, while the most recent rate stands at 9.01%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.

For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 9.01%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 11.59% and for women is 10.83%.

The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at Amherst have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).

YearTotalMenWomen
2015-16 14.12% 15.02% 13.38%
2016-17 13.69%
-0.44%
15.88%
0.86%
11.90%
-1.48%
2017-18 12.90%
-0.78%
14.57%
-1.31%
11.57%
-0.33%
2018-19 12.82%
-0.09%
13.63%
-0.94%
12.16%
0.59%
2019-20 11.31%
-1.51%
11.58%
-2.06%
11.08%
-1.07%
2020-21 11.83%
0.52%
11.75%
0.18%
11.88%
0.79%
2021-22 9.00%
-2.83%
8.00%
-3.75%
9.00%
-2.88%
2022-23 7.26%
-1.74%
7.20%
-0.80%
7.42%
-1.58%
2023-24 9.82%
2.56%
9.99%
2.79%
10.31%
2.89%
2024-25 9.01%
-0.81%
8.30%
-1.69%
9.62%
-0.68%
Average 11.17% 11.59% 10.83%
Amherst College Acceptance Rate Trends Over Time - Historical Admission Rate Data Visualization Chart

Admission Yield (Enrollment Rate) Changes

Amherst has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 39.42% in 2015 to 38.77% in 2025, representing a 1.65% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 39.62%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.

The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at Amherst from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 1.65% over this period.

YearTotalMenWomen
2015-16 39.42% 38.77% 40.03%
2016-17 40.99%
1.57%
39.57%
0.80%
42.55%
2.51%
2017-18 39.32%
-1.68%
40.10%
0.53%
38.53%
-4.02%
2018-19 39.49%
0.17%
39.86%
-0.23%
39.14%
0.62%
2019-20 39.33%
-0.16%
41.59%
1.73%
37.38%
-1.76%
2020-21 34.61%
-4.72%
37.99%
-3.61%
31.88%
-5.51%
2021-22 41.98%
7.37%
44.94%
6.95%
40.06%
8.18%
2022-23 43.28%
1.30%
46.56%
1.62%
41.75%
1.70%
2023-24 39.04%
-4.24%
39.96%
-6.60%
40.03%
-1.72%
2024-25 38.77%
-0.27%
38.58%
-1.38%
39.11%
-0.92%
Average 39.62% 40.79% 39.05%
Amherst College enrollment rate trends chart showing historical yield changes from 2015 to 2025

Applicants, Admitted, and Enrolled Headcount Changes

Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 11,248, the average number of admitted is 1,208, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 478.

The number of Amherst applicants increased by 7.98% (1,016 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 60.40% overall.

The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Amherst College from 2015 to 2025.

YearApplicantsAdmittedEnrolled
2015-16 8,568 1,210 477
2016-17 8,396
-2.01%
1,149
-5.04%
471
-1.26%
2017-18 9,285
10.59%
1,198
4.26%
471
2018-19 9,723
4.72%
1,246
4.01%
492
4.46%
2019-20 10,569
8.70%
1,195
-4.09%
470
-4.47%
2020-21 10,603
0.32%
1,254
4.94%
434
-7.66%
2021-22 13,999
32.03%
1,260
0.48%
529
21.89%
2022-23 14,864
6.18%
1,079
-14.37%
467
-11.72%
2023-24 12,727
-14.38%
1,250
15.85%
488
4.50%
2024-25 13,743
7.98%
1,238
-0.96%
480
-1.64%
Average 11,248 1,208 478
Amherst College - 10 Year Applicants, Admissions, and Enrollment Trends Chart

Compare Acceptance Rate Change to Similar Colleges

The following table compares Amherst College' acceptance rate to similar schools.

20242025Change %
Amherst College9.82%9.01%-8.25%
Pomona College7.09%6.76%4.88%
Boston University11.11%10.85%2.40%
Northeastern University5.22%5.65%-7.61%
Harvard University3.65%3.45%5.80%
Boston College16.43%15.65%4.98%

Ratings & Review

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