Contact Information
General Contact
- FAFSA School Code: 002221
- Phone: (978) 934-4000
- School Homepage
Admissions Office
Financial Aid Office
ACCEPTANCE RATE
63.80%FINANCIAL AID RATE
91%STUDENT TEACHER RATIO
17:1DEGREE OFFERED ONLINE
90FINANCIAL AID AWARD AVG.
$9,757Average Grants + Scholarship Aid Awarded to Undergraduate Students
Percent of Full-Time Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid
Percent of Students Paying In-State Tuition vs Out-of-State Tuition
School Map
University of Massachusetts Amherst
1 University Ave, Lowell, MA
University of Massachusetts - Amherst (UMass Amherst) is an institute of research and higher learning that is situated on a 1,450-acre campus in Western Massachusetts. It is 90 miles from Boston. More than 80 areas of academic study are available, many of them in high-ranked programs. UMass Amherst offers six associate's degree programs, 86 bachelor's degree programs, 73 master's degree programs and 51 doctoral degree programs. It has eight schools and colleges.
History
The University of Massachusetts - Amherst was founded in 1863 as a land-grant agricultural college. It was situated on 310 acres, with four buildings. It offered courses in modern farming, science, technical fields, and liberal arts. When it opened, UMass had four faculty members and 56 students. The school grew over time, expanding its curriculum. It enrolled its first female student in 1892; the same year graduate degrees were authorized. In 1931, the school changed its name to Massachusetts State College.
Post World War II, the school underwent rapid growth and further expanded its curriculum, facilities and enrollment. By 1964, the student enrollment had increased to 10,500. By the 1970s, UMass had expanded to include a renowned Fine Arts Center, Library, and at least one fine dining restaurant.
Through the 1980s and 1990s, UMass evolved into a major research center. Its other programs expanded and gained an international reputation for excellence.
Academics
The academic calendar for the University of Massachusetts - Amherst follows the semester format, with a fall semester, shorter winter term, spring semester, and a summer session.
Colleges and Schools
- Commonwealth Honors College
- Graduate School
- School of Education
- College of Engineering
- College of Humanities and Fine Arts
- Isenberg School of Management
- College of Natural Sciences
- School of Nursing
- School of Public Health and Health Sciences
- College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Stockbridge School of Agriculture
Student Life
The UMass has more than 200 student clubs and organizations on campus, focusing on a wide range of interests and missions. Included in these clubs are community service groups, student government, cultural groups, religious organizations, media-related groups, academic groups, fraternities and sororities, and more. Intramural sports clubs are also available, as are campus events and activities for politics, socializing, arts and entertainment.
The Fine Arts Center at UMass offers performances in theater, music and dance throughout the year. It also houses six art galleries that host many art exhibits. Student
The UMass library is an excellent resource for students, with more than 8 million items.
On campus housing is available, and there is a wide selection of dining services on campus, including the Berkshire Dining Commons. Student services include Student Success Centers, the Minuteman Marching Band, the Center for Student Development, Campus Recreation and Sports Clubs, and more.
Traditions
The school mascot is the minuteman. The UMass athletic teams are known as the "UMass Minutemen" or "UMass Minutewomen." Until the late 1960s, the UMass athletic teams were known as the "Redmen," but a group of Native Americans from New York wrote a letter requesting that the school curtail the use of "Redmen," as it was defamatory. Through a student poll in 1972, the new school mascot and name for the athletic teams was chosen.
Athletics
The UMass "Minutemen" athletic teams compete in 21 sports at the NCAA Division I level. The UMass Minutemen and Minutewomen athletic teams include:
Men's Sports:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Swimming and Diving
- Track and Field
Women's Sports:
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Field Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Rowing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Track and Field
Community Life
The Amherst area of Massachusetts is historic and picturesque, with forested hills and valleys and river plains. It has many comfortable inns and restaurants offering fine dining. Amherst offers the charms of New England's country traditions, many museums, galleries, arts and crafts fairs, antique shops, boutiques and bookstores. The museums include the Emily Dickinson Museum.
Other schools in the area are Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts. There are many public services and the area is known for its safe and quiet neighborhoods.
Admission Requirements & Details
The information regarding admissions below may give you an idea of the students University of Massachusetts Amherst accepts. The details may include application requirements and recommendations, as well as any AP college credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- Life Experience Credits
- AP Course Credits
Student Enrollment
University of Massachusetts Amherst has a total student population of about 31,000. The student body is made up of 77% undergraduate students and 16% graduate students.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $21,700. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. There is also a $80 application fee for students applying to the school. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Tuition estimates per year:
- In-State: $16,000-$19,000
- Out-of-State: $35,000-$42,130
- Part-time students are charged:
- In-State: $700-$830 per unit
- Out-of-State: $1,500-$1,800 per unit
Financial Aid Details
The financial aid table below details the types of financial aid, along with the percent of students receiving aid, and on average the amount of aid per student per year.
Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
---|---|---|
Any Financial Aid | 91% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 82% | $9,694 |
Receiving Student Loans | 57% | $8,147 |
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help support students, University of Massachusetts Amherst may provide services to students including:- Online course work available
- Night and weekend classes available
- Academic counseling for students
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Assistance to find work
- Child care
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Clinical Audiology (Au.D.) Program
- Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.) Program
- Dietetics Program
- Music Program
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) Program
- Nursing (MSN, DSN) Program
- Master's in Public Health (M.P.H.) Program
- School Psychology (Ph.D.) Program
- Speech-Language Pathology Program
- Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Education Program
Intercollegiate Athletics
University of Massachusetts Amherst is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports belonging to the NCAA Division I-FBS classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (Atlantic 10 Conference)
- Basketball (Atlantic 10 Conference)
- Track and Field (Atlantic 10 Conference)
- Field Hockey
- Football (Independent Northeast Region)
- Ice Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Rowing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.
Get more information about the programs offered by University of Massachusetts Amherst by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Agriculture Operations
- Food Science (B, D, M)
- Animal Science (B, M)
- Landscaping (A)
- Turf Management (A, B)
- Equine Studies (A)
- Horticulture (A)
Architecture
- Landscape Architect (B, M)
- Urban Planning (M)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (B)
- Exercise Physiology (B, D, M)
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (B, M)
- Microbiology (B, D, M)
- Biotechnology (C)
- Epidemiology (D, M)
- Neuroscience (D, M)
- Molecular Biology (D, M)
- Botany (D)
- Biostatistics (D, M)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (B, C, D, M)
- Finance (B)
- Accounting (B, M)
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management (B)
- Advertising and Marketing (B)
Communications and Journalism
- Journalism (B, C)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer Science (B, D, M)
Education
- Education (B, D, M)
- Higher Education Administration (C)
Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering (B, D, M)
- Chemical Engineering (B, D, M)
- Civil Engineering (B, D, M)
- Electrical Engineering (B, D, M)
- Industrial Engineering (B, D, M)
English Language and Literature
- English (B, D, M)
- Creative Writing (M)
Ethnic Cultural and Gender Studies
- Women's Studies (B, C)
- Latin American Studies (C)
- African American Studies (B, C, D, M)
- Near and Middle Eastern Studies (B)
Foreign Languages and Literature
- Linguistics (B, D, M)
- Spanish Language and Literature (B, D)
- Japanese Language and Literature (B, M)
- Chinese Language and Literature (B, M)
- French Language and Literature (B, M)
- Italian Language and Literature (B, M)
Health and Clinical Professions
- Public Health (B, C, M)
- Nursing (B, M)
- Nursing Science (D)
- Environmental Health (M)
History
- History (B, D, M)
Interdisciplinary Studies
- Nutrition (B, D, M)
- Sustainability Studies (C, M)
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies (C)
Legal Professions and Studies
- Legal Studies (B)
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (B, D, M)
Natural Resources and Conservation
Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Philosophy (B, D, M)
- Religious Studies (C)
- Jewish and Judaic Studies
Psychology
- Psychology (B, D, M)
- School Psychology (D)
Public Administration and Social Services
- Public Policy (C, M)
Recreation and Fitness Studies
- Sports Management (B, M)
Security and Protective Services
- Criminal Justice (C)
Social Sciences
- Economics (B, D, M)
- Political Science (B, D, M)
- Sociology (B, D, M)
- Anthropology (B, D, M)
- International Relations (C)
- Social Science (B, C)
- Geography (B, M)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Arts (B, M)
- Drama and Theatre Arts (B, M)
- Music (B, D, M)
- Art History (B, M)
- Dance (B)
Other 4-Year Public Colleges
The list of schools below have been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to University of Massachusetts Amherst.
- Westfield State University in Springfield, MA (23 miles away)
- Worcester State College in Worcester, MA (36 miles away)
- Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in Dudley, MA (36 miles away)
- Keene State College in Durham, NH (39 miles away)
- Fitchburg State University in Boston, MA (40 miles away)
Also, you can compare schools by looking through our list of colleges & universities:
- Review a complete list of all the Massachusetts colleges
- Compare other Massachusetts state universities
Contact Information
General Contact
- FAFSA School Code: 002221
- Phone: (978) 934-4000
- School Homepage