University of Massachusetts-Amherst: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Lowell, Massachusetts · Public · Open access
University of Massachusetts-Amherst is a public institution located in Lowell, Massachusetts. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Massachusetts-Amherst admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 85%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1253 and an ACT composite around 29. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $18,627 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price. For parents weighing whether University of Massachusetts-Amherst is realistic for their teenager, the most useful planning step is comparing your child's current GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against these admitted-student ranges — not the headline acceptance rate alone.
What GPA does my child need for University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission. Parents tracking their child's GPA toward this tier of school can use Solyo's free calculator to see weighted, unweighted, and college-recalculated numbers side by side.
SAT and ACT scores University of Massachusetts-Amherst typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 590–680, with an EBRW midpoint near 620. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 26–30. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
How much does University of Massachusetts-Amherst actually cost?
Published tuition is $16,570 for in-state students and $35,396 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,424 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $18,627 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 27% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful indicator of how much need-based aid the school distributes.
Other colleges in Massachusetts parents ask about
How parents track GPA toward selective schools like University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Solyo helps parents track grades pulled directly from school emails, calculate GPA the same way colleges like University of Massachusetts-Amherst recalculate it, and ask an AI college counselor specific questions about their teen's odds. The platform is built for parents — not students — and turns what's usually a fragmented planning process into a single dashboard.
Common questions parents ask about University of Massachusetts-Amherst
What GPA do I need for University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Massachusetts-Amherst typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 590–680, with an EBRW midpoint near 620. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 26–30.
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 $18,627 per year. That figure is more useful for budgeting than the published sticker price, because it reflects what families actually pay after aid is applied.
Is University of Massachusetts-Amherst realistic for my child?
Compare your teen's current unweighted GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against the ranges above. If both numbers fall inside the school's middle-50, University of Massachusetts-Amherst is a target school. If both fall below the 25th-percentile mark, treat it as a reach and balance the application list accordingly.