Amherst, MA Overview
University of Massachusetts-Amherst is a public 4-year college located in Amherst, Massachusetts. There are currently 24,111 undergraduates at Massachusetts-Amherst and the school’s acceptance rate is 64%. The tuition at Massachusetts-Amherst is $16,952 for in-state students and $38,171 for out-of-state.
University
Suburb
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
24,111
Pell Grant 21%
Undergrad Students Over 25 6%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 5%
Percent Male / Female 49% / 51%
Ethnic Diversity at Massachusetts-Amherst
59% White
13% Asian / Pacific Islander
8% Hispanic
7% International / Non-Citizen
5% Black
4% Multiracial
3% Unknown
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
18:1
Graduation Rate
83%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
15%
15% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
10%
10% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
9%
9% of graduates
Social Sciences
9%
9% of graduates
Engineering
7%
7% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
7%
7% of graduates
Psychology
7%
7% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
6%
6% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
5%
5% of graduates
Agriculture & Agriculture Operations
3%
3% of graduates
Mathematics
3%
3% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
2%
2% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
2%
2% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
2%
2% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
2%
2% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Architecture
1%
1% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
Legal Studies
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
1%
1% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
1%
1% of graduates
Education
1%
1% of graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
1%
1% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$33,475
$32,848
$21,846
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$33,475for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$54,694for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since Massachusetts-Amherst is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Massachusetts-Amherst is $33,475 for in-state students in MA, and $54,694 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Massachusetts-Amherst would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Using State Grants at Massachusetts-Amherst
Massachusetts residents who are considering Massachusetts-Amherst should be sure to look into state grants to help fund your education. Massachusetts has a wide variety of programs, including the need-based tuition waiver program, the MASSGrant, the Massachusetts Gilbert Matching Student Grant Program, and MCAS Scholarships. The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, which is for students who performed well on the MCAS, offers a tuition waiver for up to eight semesters of public school.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Massachusetts scholarships
University of Massachusetts-Amherst Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at University of Massachusetts-Amherst need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for University of Massachusetts-Amherst is 002221.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Tuition Break Program
University of Massachusetts-Amherst is in a state that participates in the Tuition Break tuition reciprocity program. That means if you are a resident of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont, you may be eligible to receive discounted tuition. Eligibility for this program varies by state and only applies to approved programs, so be sure to check out the Tuition Break website to find out more, as well as getting in touch with University of Massachusetts-Amherst's financial aid office.
Pell Grants at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
20% of students at University of Massachusetts-Amherst receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Massachusetts-Amherst students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions Snapshot
64%
31
Is Massachusetts-Amherst test-optional?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
Early Action
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Massachusetts-Amherst?
Students must apply by January 15 to enroll at Massachusetts-Amherst during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
And if you’re considering applying Early Action at Massachusetts-Amherst, remember that the deadline is November 5.
Should I apply Early Action at Massachusetts-Amherst?
Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.
Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$71,631
Median Debt $22,763
Debt 10 years after graduation $241
Graduation Rate 83%
What is the graduation rate at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
83% of students who start at University of Massachusetts-Amherst end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 25% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of University of Massachusetts-Amherst go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $71,631. This is $21,240 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Massachusetts-Amherst take out in loans?
Graduates of Massachusetts-Amherst have to take out a median of $22,763 in federal student loans. This is $9,263 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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