University of Massachusetts Amherst
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. It has a campus size of 1,463 acres. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 63%. The freshman retention rate at University of Massachusetts Amherst is 90.38% and the six-year graduation rate is 83%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 15. For transfer students, the application deadline is April 15.
Explore this school's profile to find out all the essential things about University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Quick Facts
24,391
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
63%
Acceptance Rate
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
83%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to learn as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to improve your chances of being accepted. How difficult is it to get admitted to University of Massachusetts Amherst and what are the admission requirements?
According to the most recent information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 28,871 in 2023. University of Massachusetts Amherst has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the student. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
29.63% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 5.26% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 41.73% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 48.85% between 1,200 and 1,399, 8.45% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 0.97% between 800 and 999. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 65.31, 28.23 between 24-29, 5.44 in the range between 18-23, and 1.02 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the admitted students in 2023 was 30 and the average GPA was 4. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into University of Massachusetts Amherst; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 671 and an average SAT Math score of 687.
Deadlines
The final day for applications to this school is January 15. For transfer students, note that the application deadline is April 15.
63%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. When creating your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
The freshman retention rate for University of Massachusetts Amherst was 90.38% in 2023, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 83%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the right match for you. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by learning more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2023 was 32,229.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 19.83% for that year. There was a total of 24,391 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 1,735 international students. The school reported to have a total of 1,224 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 12,566 male and 13,202 female full-time students in 2023, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution. 1,377 full-time graduate men and 1,471 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 3,084 Asian students and 1,117 Afro-American students in 2023. 2,035 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 980 as multirace. The school also had 15 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 17 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 828 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for University of Massachusetts Amherst is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $16,591 for area residents. Tuition fees were $38,527 for students coming from a different state. If you are an international student at University of Massachusetts Amherst, you should know that the 2023 tuition came to $38,527, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $766 in 2023.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $38,527 | $766 | $39,293 |
| In-State | $16,591 | $766 | $17,357 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to think about the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,000.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at University of Massachusetts Amherst was $15,437 in 2023. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2023 reached $8,154 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $8,154.
| Tuition | $ 16,591 |
| Room and Board | $ 15,437 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,000 |
| Total Expense | $ 33,028 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial aid can be a great deal for most students. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 2,625 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $21,009.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
9,804 students received some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 10,858. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $27,646,439, and state $11,516,335. The students of University of Massachusetts Amherst received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $88,968,856, and external in the amount of $4,933,370.
$7,724
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of 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 943 students overall (including freshmen) at University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2023. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 284 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $27,646,439 while the state aid is $310,823. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $54,416,033. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $4,361,076 USD.
Majors
Faculty
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at University of Massachusetts Amherst was 18:1: that means 18 students per one teacher. The faculty of this school consists of 1,646 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 850 male and 796 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at University of Massachusetts Amherst is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some info about social life at University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists only of current students and/or alumni.
According to recently gathered data, there are 500 open-membership organizations at University of Massachusetts Amherst. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. 6 percent of male and 5 of female students participate in different organizations at University of Massachusetts Amherst. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is Student Government Association, followed by University Programming Council and Outing Club. Other popular student organizations at this school are Ski and Board Club and Minutemen Marching Band.
If you are interested in music, you can join the University of Massachusetts Amherst band or chorus. In case you're interested in acting, there is a drama club you can consider joining. For students who have a passion for media and communication, University of Massachusetts Amherst publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
University of Massachusetts Amherst has a number of services important for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
This school has a health 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 all you need for a comfortable stay.
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 a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
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 reported acceptance rate for University of Massachusetts Amherst is 63%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for University of Massachusetts Amherst is 90.38%.
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.