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 29,000. The student body is made up of 78% 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 $19,100. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. There is also a $75 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
- Annual tuition range estimates:
- In-State Tuition: $12,000-$14,000
- Nonresident Student Tuition: $28,000-$33,620
- Charges for part-time students are:
- State Residents: $630-$750 per credit unit
- Nonresidents: $1,300-$1,600 per credit unit
Financial Aid Details
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.
| Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Any Financial Aid | 91% | - |
| Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 81% | $8,456 |
| Receiving Student Loans | 60% | $7,801 |
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
- Remedial courses
- Academic counseling for students
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Assistance to find work
- Child care
Graduation Rates
With a high graduation rate of around 73%, UMass Amherst is among the most successful schools in the area.
| Number of Year to Graduate | Percent of Entering Class |
|---|---|
| Students Graduating in 4 Years | 57% |
| Graduating in 5 Years | 12% |
| Graduating in 6 Years | 1% |
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-AA 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 (Mid-American Conference)
- 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
- Agricultural Economics (B, M)
- Animal Science (B, D, M)
- Plant Sciences (B, D, M)
- Food Science (B, D, M)
- Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture (B, C)
- Landscaping (A)
- Horticulture (A)
- Turf Management (A, B)
- Crop Production (A)
- Applied Horticulture, Horticultural Business Services (A)
- Equine Studies (A)
- Horticultural Science (B)
Architecture
- Architecture (B, M)
- Environmental Design, Architecture (B, M)
- Landscape Architect (B, M)
- Urban Planning (D, M)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (B)
- Exercise Physiology (B, D, M)
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (B, M)
- Microbiology (B, D, M)
- Epidemiology (D, M)
- Molecular Biology (D, M)
- Biostatistics (D, M)
- Neuroscience (D, M)
- Biotechnology (C)
- Evolutionary Biology (D, M)
- Botany (D, M)
- Entomology (D, M)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (B, C, D, M)
- Accounting (B, M)
- Finance (B)
- Advertising and Marketing (B)
- Hospitality Administration and Management (B)
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management (B)
- Labor and Industrial Relations (M)
- Meeting and Event Planning (C)
- Casino Management (C)
- Transportation and Transportation Management
Communications and Journalism
- Communication, General (B, D, M)
- Journalism (B, C)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer Science (B, D, M)
Construction Trades
Education
- Education (B, D, M)
- Higher Education Administration (C)
- Multicultural Education (C)
- Art Teacher Education (M)
- Music Teacher Education
Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering (B, D, M)
- Civil Engineering (B, D, M)
- Chemical Engineering (B, D, M)
- Electrical Engineering (B, D, M)
- Computer Engineering (B)
- Polymer Engineering (D, M)
- Environmental and Environmental Health Engineering (M)
- Industrial Engineering (B, D, M)
- Biological, Biosystems Engineering (C)
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)
- Near and Middle Eastern Studies (B)
- German Studies (B, M)
- African-American Black Studies (B, D, M)
- African Studies (C)
- Russian Studies
Foreign Languages and Literature
- Linguistics (B, D, M)
- Spanish Language and Literature (B, D, M)
- Classical Languages, Literatures and Linguistics (B, M)
- Chinese Language and Literature (B, M)
- Japanese Language and Literature (B, M)
- Comparative Literature (B, D, M)
- Italian Language and Literature (B)
- French Language and Literature (B, M)
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (C)
- Portuguese Language and Literature (B)
Health and Clinical Professions
- Public Health (B, C, D, M)
- Nursing (B, M)
- Communication Disorders (B, D, M)
- Pre-Veterinary Studies (B)
- Nursing Practice (D)
- Community Health Services, Liaison, Counseling (D, M)
- Audiology, Hearing Sciences (D)
- Health Services Administration (M)
- Nursing Science (D)
- Environmental Health (M)
History
- History (B, C, D, M)
- Public and Applied History and Archival Administration (C)
Interdisciplinary Studies
- Interdisciplinary Studies (B, C)
- Nutrition (B, M)
- Biological and Physical Sciences (B)
- Sustainability Studies (M)
- Marine Sciences (C, M)
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies (C)
- Historic Preservation and Conservation (C)
- Cognitive Science (C)
- Mathematics and Computer Science (B)
Legal Professions and Studies
- Legal Studies (B)
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- General Studies (B)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (B, D, M)
- Applied Mathematics (M)
Natural Resources and Conservation
- Environmental and Wildlife Management (B, D, M)
- Environmental Science (B)
- Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management (D, M)
- Forestry (D)
Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Philosophy (B, C, D, M)
- Religious Studies (C)
- Jewish and Judaic Studies (B)
Physical Sciences
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, C, D, M)
- Sociology (B, D, M)
- Anthropology (B, D, M)
- International Relations (C)
- Social Science (B, C)
- Geography (B, M)
- Applied Economics (C)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts (B, C, M)
- Fine Arts and Studio Arts (B, M)
- Music (B)
- Music Performance (B, M)
- Dance (B)
- Art History (B, M)
- Arts Management (C)
- Interior Design
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 Westfield, MA (23 miles away)
- Worcester State College in Worcester, MA (36 miles away)
- Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA (36 miles away)
- Keene State College in Keene, NH (39 miles away)
- Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA (40 miles away)
See a list of all the colleges and universities by clicking on one of the links below:
- Review a complete list of all the Massachusetts colleges
- Compare other Massachusetts state universities