University of Massachusetts-Amherst is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Amherst, Massachusetts. It enrolls 23,671 students (a very large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorNew England Commission on Higher Education
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
79/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes90
Value66
Affordability28
Selectivity83
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 59.7%, University of Massachusetts-Amherst is moderately selective.
Acceptance Rate
59.7%
Moderate
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1310 – 1500
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
30 – 33
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of Massachusetts-Amherst is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Getting more selective ↓
6.0 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending University of Massachusetts-Amherst isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $22,383 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$22,383
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
20%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
47%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$17,772
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$40,449
Room & Board (on-campus)
$16,710
Room & Board (off-campus)
$16,710
Books & Supplies
$1,200
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$1,440
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$1,440
Total Cost of Attendance
$34,549
Application fee: $85 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$10,164
$30,001 – $48,000
$10,456
$48,001 – $75,000
$12,932
$75,001 – $110,000
$18,964
Over $110,000
$30,793
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$5,50010%percentile
$11,50025%percentile
$22,763Medianpercentile
$27,00075%percentile
$30,50090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $21,500
↓ $1,263
No Pell $19,500
↓ $3,263
Dependent students $20,015
↓ $2,748
Independent students $18,750
↓ $4,013
Female students $20,224
↓ $2,539
Male students $19,547
↓ $3,216
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $17,112, close to what completers borrow ($22,763) but without the degree to show for it.
Graduation Rate & Retention
69% of full-time students who enrolled at University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduate within six years, and 91% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
69%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
91%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
High first-year retention. Students who arrive tend to stay.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of Massachusetts-Amherst earn a median of $71,631 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$71,631
Earning > $25K
84%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$52,600
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$62,500
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$52,500
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$54,600
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$61,300
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $9,900, about 16% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
8.6 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 89% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
University of Massachusetts-Amherst is home to 23,671 students, a sprawling student community.
Total Enrolled
23,671
Part-Time
4%
First-Generation
22%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 57.2%13,528
Asian 13.7%3,252
Hispanic 9.1%2,161
International 7.6%1,804
Other 4.9%1,150
Black 4.6%1,077
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Small CityAmherst, Massachusetts
Housing
Mostly residential14,465 beds on campus
Adult Learners
5%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
University of Massachusetts-Amherst offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
209 distinct programs across
27 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Massachusetts-Amherst is 18:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
18:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$26,254
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$507M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$122,464
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
1,458 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
507
35%
$164,674
Associate Professors
313
21%
$117,396
Assistant Professors
256
18%
$104,844
Instructors
3
0%
$69,327
Lecturers
379
26%
$82,507
Pros & Cons of University of Massachusetts-Amherst
A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of Massachusetts-Amherst tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Above-average graduation rate
Strong first-year retention
Above-average post-graduation earnings
CONS
Above-average net price
Class sizes are on the higher side
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, University of Massachusetts-Amherst is a fit for
students prioritizing post-graduation earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Is University of Massachusetts-Amherst hard to get into?
Admissions at University of Massachusetts-Amherst are moderately competitive. The acceptance rate is 59.7%, so most applicants who meet the academic minimums are admitted.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst has an acceptance rate of 59.7%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Massachusetts-Amherst scored between 1310 and 1500 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Massachusetts-Amherst scored between 30 and 33 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does University of Massachusetts-Amherst cost?
The average net price after aid at University of Massachusetts-Amherst is $22,383 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is University of Massachusetts-Amherst worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $71,631 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $22,383 per year. That's roughly 3.2x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is University of Massachusetts-Amherst known for?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst is best known for its programs in Psychology, Computer Science, Business Administration. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering University of Massachusetts-Amherst are $71,631, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is University of Massachusetts-Amherst accredited?
Yes. University of Massachusetts-Amherst is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.
How many students attend University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst enrolls 23,671 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduates 69% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is University of Massachusetts-Amherst a public or private college?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst is a Public institution.
Where is University of Massachusetts-Amherst located?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst is located in Amherst, Massachusetts.
What programs does University of Massachusetts-Amherst offer?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst offers 209 distinct programs. The most popular include Psychology, Computer Science, Business Administration.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Massachusetts-Amherst is 18:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
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Rankings That Feature University of Massachusetts-Amherst
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