Are Middlebury and Amherst equally good for small classes?

Yes, both Middlebury and Amherst are excellent for small classes, and in practice they are much more similar than different on that front. At both schools, most classes are small enough for discussion, professors teach undergraduates directly, and it is very realistic to build close relationships with faculty. You are unlikely to find that one is dramatically better than the other if your main concern is avoiding large lecture-style teaching.

Amherst may appeal more if you want a highly discussion-driven environment with a lot of flexibility in how you shape your academics. Its open curriculum means classmates are often in courses because they actively chose them, which can make discussion feel especially engaged. Amherst also has the Five College connection, so while your home classes remain small, you have access to additional courses and departments nearby without giving up the intimate liberal arts setting.

Middlebury may stand out more if you want small classes paired with a very residential, immersive campus culture. The college is known for strong language programs, close faculty interaction, and a setting where students are deeply anchored to campus life, which can make it easier to form consistent relationships with professors over time. In a place like that, office hours, research, and repeat enrollment with the same faculty can feel especially natural because the community is so self-contained.

The real difference is less about class size itself and more about the kind of small-college experience surrounding it. Amherst can feel a bit more academically self-directed and outward-facing because of the consortium, while Middlebury often feels more enclosed and campus-centered. If what you want is frequent participation, accessible professors, and seminar-style learning, both schools deliver that at a very high level.