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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 academic institution uses 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%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 15. The transfer application deadline is March 1.
Here are some recent data on important things to consider about University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Quick Facts
23,920
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
83%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Discovering as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission improves your chances of getting admitted. Discover some important data about admission at University of Massachusetts Amherst.
According to the newest 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 in cases when they are submitted by the candidate. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. Having a long tradition of academic success and a dedication to encouraging intellectual curiosity, University of Massachusetts Amherst offers an unmatched educational experience.
Test Scores
22% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 0.3% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 55% of the enrolled students 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 new 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 ACT composite average score for all the accepted 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 SAT Critical Reading average score was 690 for the newly enrolled students, while the average SAT Math score was 707.
Deadlines
The closing date for applications to University of Massachusetts Amherst is January 15. If you are applying for a transfer, note that the application deadline is March 1.
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. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for University of Massachusetts Amherst was 92%, which is an amazing 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. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 83%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Making the decision of which school is the best place for you is not easy. Having a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2025 was 31,726.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 22% for that year. There was a total of 23,920 undergrad students, including 1,804 international students. The school reported to have a total of 1,172 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 12,496 male and 13,535 female full-time students in 2025, which is indicative of the importance this institution places on gender equality.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at University of Massachusetts Amherst.
This school had 3,253 Asian students and 1,076 Afro-American students in 2025. 2,162 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 1,123 as multirace. The school also had 14 students who declared 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
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at University of Massachusetts Amherst that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about University of Massachusetts Amherst estimated tuition fees.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $17,601. Tuition fees were $40,873 for students coming from a different state. For international students, tuition fees at this school amounted to $40,873, as well. Full-time students in 2025 were required 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
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another important financial element. The approximate expense of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $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. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
In 2025, the price of room and board at University of Massachusetts Amherst was $16,726 per academic year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school cost $8,734, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $9,336.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 17,601 |
| Room and Board | $ 16,726 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 35,527 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial help can be a great deal for most students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid you might get at University of Massachusetts Amherst.
The most recent records show that 2,521 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $23,135.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
9,644 students were awarded some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 10,668. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $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 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 1,226 students overall (including freshmen) at University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 330 full-time freshman. 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. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $5,043,722 USD.
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
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. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 1,821. 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 info about students' life at University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Its campus is 1,463 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
There are 500 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. This number includes sororities and fraternities. 7 percent of male and 7 of female students participate in different organizations at University of Massachusetts Amherst. The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is UMass Amherst Permaculture, followed by University Programming Council and Asian American Student Association. Other popular organizations among the students at University of Massachusetts Amherst are Student Government Association and Outing Club.
If you are interested in music, you 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 talent 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 that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The school's dormitory entrances are operated electronically. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
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 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. There is 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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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for University of Massachusetts Amherst is 59%.
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The most recent data indicate that 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.