Area Studies at Amherst College
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How Amherst College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Amherst College graduates earn $49k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all area studies bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts
Area Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (28 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst College | $49,149 | $49,923 | — | — |
| Tufts University | $44,133 | $54,435 | — | — |
| Brandeis University | $43,748 | $55,201 | $26,000 | 0.59 |
| Wellesley College | $43,231 | $55,437 | $9,525 | 0.22 |
| Williams College | $38,595 | $67,794 | — | — |
| Smith College | $29,878 | $40,081 | $19,000 | 0.64 |
| National Median | $34,211 | — | $20,552 | 0.60 |
Other Area Studies Programs in Massachusetts
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Massachusetts schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tufts University Medford | $67,844 | $44,133 | — |
| Brandeis University Waltham | $64,946 | $43,748 | $26,000 |
| Wellesley College Wellesley | $64,320 | $43,231 | $9,525 |
| Williams College Williamstown | $64,860 | $38,595 | — |
| Smith College Northampton | $61,568 | $29,878 | $19,000 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Amherst College, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 22 graduates with reported earnings and 17 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.