Admit rate has ranged 58%–66% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
UMass Amherst is a powerhouse public research university where top-tier academics collide with a famously vibrant social scene. Known for its strong STEM programs, sprawling campus, and status as Massachusetts' top party school, it delivers a high-value education with graduates earning median salaries 38% above the national average.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
23,671
In-state tuition
$17,772
Out-of-state tuition
$40,449
Housing
60% on-campus
Top Majors
Computer Science, Psychology, Biology
Notable Fact
Massachusetts' top party school (Niche)
Acceptance Rate
59.7%
4-Year Graduation Rate
75%
Median Graduate Salary (6 yrs)
$60,347
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$71,631
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.2×
Median debt at graduation
$22,763
Graduation rate
83%
First-year retention
92%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
77%
Pell (lower-income) share
41%
First-generation share
22%
Endowment / student
$24,490
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer Science$78,232
Computer Engineering$75,518
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$69,338
Industrial Engineering$69,338
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$68,647
Mechanical Engineering
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
17
Per 1,000 students
0.72
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
88
Summer high
81°F
Winter low
22°F
Annual rain
51.6"
Annual snow
40"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
889
Scholarly works
124,822
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst's acceptance rate is approximately 60% (Amherst, MA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
Admitted students at University of Massachusetts-Amherst typically score 1310–1500 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University of Massachusetts-Amherst cost?
At University of Massachusetts-Amherst, the average net price (after aid) is about $22,383 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst enrolls approximately 23,671 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Massachusetts-Amherst located?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst is located in Amherst, MA.
Admissions
UMass Amherst maintains a moderately selective admissions process with a 59.7% acceptance rate, admitting students with middle-50% SAT scores of 1330–1480 or ACT scores of 30–34. The university enrolls 23,116 undergraduates, with 71.6% coming from Massachusetts. Applications are due by January 15 for regular decision.
Test-optional policy: SAT/ACT submissions are not mandatory but can strengthen applications.
In-state preference: Nearly three-quarters of undergraduates are Massachusetts residents.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$65,594
Accounting and Related Services$63,646
Civil Engineering$60,903
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics
UMass Amherst shines in STEM, business, and agriculture, with popular majors including Computer Science (7% of students), Psychology (8%), and Biology (5%). The university operates 10 academic colleges offering 111 undergraduate programs, with particular strengths in veterinary sciences and animal research.
Research opportunities: Abundant for STEM majors, with strong faculty support.
Career prep: Robust resources for résumé writing, interview skills, and major exploration.
Hands-on learning: Programs emphasize practical applications in agriculture and animal management.
UMass Amherst is Massachusetts’ top party school, with 56% of students reporting "lots of options Wednesday-Saturday" and 15% noting "raging parties almost any night." Beyond the social scene, the campus thrives with galleries, theaters, and 300+ student groups.
Housing: 60% live on campus in college-owned housing.
Location: The idyllic Amherst setting blends New England charm with outdoor recreation.
Social culture: Greek life exists but doesn’t dominate; house parties and campus events drive the scene.
UMass Amherst graduates earn a median salary of $60,347 six years post-enrollment—38% above the national median. The 4-year graduation rate is 75%, and 82% graduate within 6 years.
Debt: Median student debt is $22,763.
Early-career earnings: Graduates make $51,780 on average shortly after degree completion.
Employment knowledge rate: 71% of alumni outcomes are tracked across departments.
The net price averages $22,291/year after aid, with 75% of first-years receiving grants or scholarships. In-state tuition is $17,601/year, while aid packages often include $600–$1,200 in annual scholarships.
Cost breakdown: Includes tuition, fees, room/board, and supplies.
Financial aid: Emphasis on need-based grants over loans.
Value proposition: The 1.67-year payback period (degree cost vs. earnings) underscores ROI.
UMass Amherst delivers a rare trifecta: rigorous academics (especially in STEM), a legendary social scene, and public-school affordability. Its $60K+ median graduate earnings defy the "party school" stereotype, while research opportunities rival private universities. The sprawling Amherst campus—with its blend of New England charm and collegiate energy—creates a quintessential college experience.
University of Massachusetts-Amherst logo · sourceUMass Amherst Campus Views · sourceUMass Amherst Campus Core Revitalization — BSLA · sourceTown & Valley | Campus Life | Amherst College · source
