University of Massachusetts-Amherst: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Amherst, Massachusetts · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025
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University of Massachusetts-Amherst is a public university in Amherst, Massachusetts that admits about 60% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $22,383 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Computer Science and Economics, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 83% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.5 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Massachusetts-Amherst is a public institution located in Amherst, Massachusetts with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Massachusetts-Amherst admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 60%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1410 and an ACT composite around 31. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $22,383 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
59% of enrolled students at University of Massachusetts-Amherst had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 4.04, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does University of Massachusetts-Amherst weight in admissions?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Class rank
- • Application essay
- • Recommendations
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Talent/ability
- • Character/personal qualities
- • Work experience
SAT and ACT scores University of Massachusetts-Amherst typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 660–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 665. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 30–33. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | 1330 |
| 50th percentile | 1410 |
| 75th percentile | 1480 |
| % submitting SAT | 22% |
| 25th percentile | 30 |
| 50th percentile | 32 |
| 75th percentile | 33 |
| % submitting ACT | 0.3% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 30% |
| Top 25% of class | 67% |
| Top 50% of class | 94% |
| % submitting class rank | 29% |
How much does University of Massachusetts-Amherst actually cost?
Published tuition is $17,772 for in-state students and $40,449 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,710 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $22,383 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 20% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Room and board | — |
| Average net price (after aid) | $22,383 |
| Application fee | $85 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Massachusetts-Amherst
| Regular deadline | Mid- to late-January |
| Notification date | 15-Jan |
| Reply deadline | 5/1/2025 |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 5 |
Will my child graduate from University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
These predict outcomes at University of Massachusetts-Amherst better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Computer Science and Economics. Across all programs, University of Massachusetts-Amherst confers roughly 2,812 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $62,236 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 547 | $62,236 |
| Computer Science | 391 | $132,046 |
| Economics | 353 | $91,255 |
| Biology, General | 317 | $68,103 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 316 | $57,091 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 305 | $74,087 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 294 | $91,248 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 289 | $98,716 |
Is University of Massachusetts-Amherst safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Massachusetts-Amherst disclosed 83 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.5 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 5 violent offenses and 27 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
About 60% of undergraduates at University of Massachusetts-Amherst live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 8% of men join a fraternity and 7% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Massachusetts parents ask about
Next steps for University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Common questions parents ask about University of Massachusetts-Amherst
What GPA do I need for University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
59% of enrolled students at University of Massachusetts-Amherst had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 4.04, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Massachusetts-Amherst typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 660–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 665. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 30–33.
How much does University of Massachusetts-Amherst actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Massachusetts-Amherst after grants and scholarships is $22,383 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $17,772 and $40,449 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Massachusetts-Amherst realistic for my child?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst admits 60% of applicants, so 660–770 SAT Math is target range and below 660 is a reach. Then check the $22,383 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst accepts about 60% of applicants out of roughly 50,261 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is University of Massachusetts-Amherst test-optional?
Yes. University of Massachusetts-Amherst is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
About 83% of students at University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduate within six years, and 76% finish in four years. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of Massachusetts-Amherst look for in applicants?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Massachusetts-Amherst a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst is a public institution located in Amherst, Massachusetts.
What are the most popular majors at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Massachusetts-Amherst by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Computer Science and Economics. The school awards about 2,812 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Massachusetts-Amherst safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst reported 83 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.5 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
At University of Massachusetts-Amherst, 60% of undergraduates live on campus, 8% of men are in fraternities, 7% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Massachusetts-Amherst, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers