History
Our story is your story. Since 1821, we’ve been helping our students find their own voices, discover their own truths and forge their own paths in the world. Our students and alumni are the true authors of the Amherst story. Help write our next chapter.
Education
Amherst offers the Bachelor of Arts degree in 40 majors in the arts, sciences, social sciences and humanities. Students can carry more than one major, create their own interdisciplinary major or engage in independent scholarship. Many students delve more deeply into their major field by undertaking honors theses as seniors. Often the equivalent of graduate-level work, theses have taken the form of a major paper, scientific investigation or creative work.
Career
Everyone’s career path is unique. Whether you’re a first year or a senior, we offer resources and advising to help you consider and shape your own way forward through internships, networking, jobs, alumni connections, or reflection on how your academic experiences, interests, skills, and values can align with a meaningful career.
University Ranking
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2024
901 -100
2023
801 100
2022
901
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
Housing services
mherst is a place where learning includes living. We guarantee housing for all students for all four years. Almost all of our students live on campus. And all first-year students live in dormitories on our first-year quad, right in the heart of campus. Our students eat great meals with great friends in Valentine Dining Hall, which offers delicious dietary options, with food sourced from local farms, including our own Book & Plow Farm.
Medical services
We envision a college in which all students thrive, are ready to learn, and are capable of their best performance. We can help you sustain yourself intellectually, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and socially. With a strong foundation of wellbeing, you can use your talents to contribute to your community and to the world.
Campus life
Every student visits Keefe Campus Center at least once a day. This yellow building in the heart of campus is home to a post office, movie theater, and game room; WAMH radio; Schwemm’s Coffee House; and student meeting and performance spaces. It’s also home to the Center for Community Engagement and our resource centers.
Sports facilities
Athletics, fitness, and recreation are a vibrant part of living and learning at Amherst. Our extensive athletic facilities — open to all students — include excellent playing fields, an 8,000-square-foot fitness center, pool, courts, and an ice rink. Beyond Amherst, you can jog the Norwottuck Trail that borders campus, kayak on the Connecticut River, or mountain-bike the Robert Frost Trail.