Overview of University of Massachusetts Amherst

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution with an acceptance rate of 60%. Situated in Amherst, Massachusetts, UMass Amherst is the University of Massachusetts university system’s flagship campus.UMass frequently ranks among the top 50 public universities in the U.S., and it has a chapter of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honor society because of its strong liberal arts and sciences programs. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to select from. A robust student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. In athletics, the UMass Minutemen play in the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference. Popular sports include swimming, Track & Field, basketball, and rowing.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 30,593 (23,515 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 50 percent male/50 percent female
• 93 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $16,389 (in-state); $35,710 (out-of-state)
• Books: $1,000
• Room and Board: $13,598
• Other Expenses: $1,400
• Total Cost: $32,387 (in-state); $51,708 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 91 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 82 percent
  • Loans: 57 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $9,757
  • Loans: $6,759

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Health Professions and Related Programs; and Psychology

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 91 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 15 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 71 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 80 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Crew-Rowing, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field

Overview of University of Massachusetts Amherst Admissions

The University of Massachusetts Amherst, which accepts over half of applicants, has a moderately selective admissions procedure. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the next steps of the application process.

Admissions Data                        

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, UMass Amherst had an acceptance rate of 60%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 60 gained admission, making UMass Amherst’s admissions procedure competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 87% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of UMass Amherst’s students fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. 50% of admitted students scored between 600 and 680 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 600 and 25% scored over 680. 50% of students scored between 600 and 710 on the math part, while 25% scored under 600, and 25% scored over 710. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1390 or higher will have a competitive advantage at UMass Amherst.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 22% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of UMass Amherst’s students fall within the top 18% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of admitted students to UMass Amherst received a cumulative ACT score between 26 and 31, while 25% scored over 31, and 25% scored under 26.

GPA

In 2019, the median 50% of the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s incoming class had high school GPAs between 3.7 and 4.1 and a mean GPA of 3.9. 25% had a GPA of over 4.1, and 25% had a GPA under 3.7. Successful applicants have primarily A and B grades.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for UMass Amherst, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If UMass Amherst is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Texas State University, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Georgia State University, Florida Agricultural, and Mechanical University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of Texas at El Paaso, California State University Northridge

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for UMass Amherst, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Pace University, University of North Texas, San Jose State University, California State University Long Beach, Florida Gulf Coast University, the University of Texas at San Antonio, Washington State University

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than UMass Amherst. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

University of Cincinnati, Penn State University Park, United States Military Academy, Hofstra University, Auburn University, Temple University, Seton Hall University

Applying to UMass Amherst

Application Deadline: January 15

Undergraduate Admissions Website: https://www.umass.edu/admissions/

Undergraduate Application Link(s): https://www.umass.edu/admissions/apply

Graduate Admissions Website: https://www.umass.edu/graduate/     

Graduate Application Link(s): https://www.umass.edu/graduate/apply/how-apply