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Amherst , MA
The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) is a renowned public research university located in Amherst, Massachusetts. It was established in 1863 as the Massachusetts Agricultural College and has since evolved into a comprehensive institution with a diverse range of academic programs. UMass Amherst is the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system and is widely recognized for its excellence in education, innovation, and impactful research.
With over 30,000 students, UMass Amherst offers more than 90 undergraduate majors and over 110 graduate programs across various fields, including sciences, arts, humanities, engineering, business, and more. The university is committed to providing students with a well-rounded education that emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and real-world experiences. Faculty members at UMass Amherst are highly accomplished in their respective fields and are dedicated to mentoring and guiding students throughout their educational journey.
UMass Amherst is known for its vibrant campus life and strong sense of community. Students have access to exceptional resources and facilities, including state-of-the-art laboratories, libraries, research centers, and recreational facilities. The university also offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations that cater to diverse interests and foster connections among students. Additionally, UMass Amherst has a robust athletics program, competing in NCAA Division I sports and providing students with opportunities to engage in competitive sports or simply cheer on their teams.
Overall, UMass Amherst is a prestigious institution that provides students with an excellent education, ample opportunities for personal and professional growth, and a supportive and inclusive campus community. With its strong focus on research, innovation, and academic excellence, UMass Amherst cultivates graduates who are well-prepared to contribute to society and succeed in their chosen careers.
Located in Amherst, MA, University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public university. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 59%. The freshman retention rate at University of Massachusetts Amherst is 92% and the six-year graduation rate is 83%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 15. For transfer students, the application deadline is March 1.
Read more about what you can expect if you get into University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Quick Facts
23,920
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
83%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the university in order to improve your chances of being accepted. Discover some essential facts about admission policy and requirements at University of Massachusetts Amherst.
According to the most recent information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 30,020 in 2025. University of Massachusetts Amherst has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. This prominent school with a rich history offers an excellent learning experience to its students.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 22% and ACT scores 0.3%. 55% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 41% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 4% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 80, 18 between 24-29 and 2 in the range between 18-23.
The average ACT score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 31 while the average GPA was 4.04. That means you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted as well as an above-average ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 690 and an average SAT Math score of 707.
Deadlines
The closing date for applications to this school is January 15. If you are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is March 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university first-year students who return for their sophomore year. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for University of Massachusetts Amherst was 92%, which is an outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 83%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better understanding of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution had an enrollment of 31,726 students.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 22. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 23,920, 1804 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 1,172.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 12,496 male and 13,535 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at University of Massachusetts Amherst.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 3,253, while the number of Black American students was 1,076. 2,162 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 1,123 as multirace. The school also had 14 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 14 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 698 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some important data on University of Massachusetts Amherst costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at University of Massachusetts Amherst? Here is what you need to know.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $17,601 for area residents. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $40,873 in 2025. If you are an international student at University of Massachusetts Amherst, you should know that the 2025 tuition was $40,873, as well. Full-time students in 2025 had to pay additional fees in the amount of $886.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $40,873 | $886 | $41,759 |
| In-State | $17,601 | $886 | $18,487 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to consider is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,200.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
At University of Massachusetts Amherst, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $16,726. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school totaled $8,734, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $8,743.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 17,601 |
| Room and Board | $ 16,726 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 35,527 |
Financial Aid
Financial aid for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at University of Massachusetts Amherst.
The most recent records show that 2,521 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $23,135 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 9,644 students who obtained need-based financial aid of any kind. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 10,668. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $28,211,505, and state $30,134,912. The students of University of Massachusetts Amherst received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $92,130,839, and external in the amount of $5,552,093.
$8,346
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 1,226 students overall (including freshmen) at University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2025. 330 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $28,211,505 while the state aid is $384,736. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $59,074,615. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $5,043,722 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2025, this ratio at University of Massachusetts Amherst was 17:1. That means that there were 17 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 1,821 faculty members. This number included 930 male and 891 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some details about social life at University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Its campus is 1,463 acres in size.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
This school has 500 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. 7 percent of male and 7 of female students take part in in different organizations at University of Massachusetts Amherst. The student organization that has the biggest membership is UMass Amherst Permaculture, followed by University Programming Council and Asian American Student Association. Other popular organizations at University of Massachusetts Amherst are Student Government Association and Outing Club.
Students interested in music can join the University of Massachusetts Amherst band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a passion for media and communication? University of Massachusetts Amherst publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At University of Massachusetts Amherst, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The school's dormitory entrances are operated electronically. There is a security patrol available 24/7. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of University of Massachusetts Amherst.
All in all, campus life at University of Massachusetts Amherst is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Career Counselling
At University of Massachusetts Amherst, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are job fairs. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career.
FAQ
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University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for University of Massachusetts Amherst is 59%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for University of Massachusetts Amherst is 92%.
Contact Information
University of Massachusetts Amherst
181 Presidents Drive
Amherst , MA
1003
413 545-0111
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
