Full Guide for Umass Amherst 2023

UMass Amherst is the largest public research university in New England. It was founded in 1863 as an agricultural college and is now the flagship and largest campus in the University of Massachusetts system. UMass Amherst offers 77 master’s and 48 doctoral programs, coordinated in nine schools and colleges.

 As of Fall 2023, it has an annual enrollment of more than 32,000 students and approximately 1,900 faculty members.

It seeks students who will bring their unique strengths and diverse talents to the campus. The university conducts an individualized review of applications with careful consideration of a student’s academic achievements, personal qualities, and motivation. 

Students have the freedom to choose their own path by exploring myriad academic opportunities, roaming the campus to find a hidden gem study nook, having fun and keeping active in intramural sports, or networking through alumni engagement or Registered Student Organizations. It is part of the Five Colleges Consortium which allows its students to attend classes at four other Pioneer Valley institutions: Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College.

UMass Amherst is ranked as one of the nation’s top public research universities. Its courses challenge students academically while providing them with the confidence to pursue higher degrees. The environment pushes students to their academic limits while constantly surrounding them with motivation.

The commitment to diversity and social justice aligns with what many students value. It offers a college education that prepares its graduates for success in areas that drive the Massachusetts economy such as health care, business, computer science, and other STEM fields

Umass Amherst acceptance rate

The University of Massachusetts Amherst’s acceptance rate is 66%. The acceptance rate for in-state students is 64%, while the acceptance rate for out-of-state students is 65%. The overall acceptance rate for Fall 2020 was reported as 63.8% with over 42,200 applications submitted to the university

The middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students is between 1250 and 1460, while the middle 50% ACT score range is between 28 and 33. In Fall 2022, there were a total of 45,399 first-year applications and only a total of 5,571 students were admitted to UMass Amherst

Umass Amherst tuition

The estimated tuition and fees for UMass Amherst in 2023-2024 are $9,068 for in-state students and $20,036 for out-of-state students. The annual cost of room and board is between $13,595 and $16,355. 

The tuition is $16,952 for in-state students and $38,171 for out-of-state students. Residents of Massachusetts pay an annual total price of $32,434 to attend UMass Amherst on a full-time basis. The 2022 tuition & fees of UMass Amherst are $16,439 for Massachusetts residents and $36,964 for out-of-state students

Umass Amherst majors

UMass Amherst offers over 100 undergraduate majors in 10 schools and colleges. The Commonwealth Honors College at UMass Amherst offers a small, intensive learning community coupled with the big opportunities of a nationally recognized research university. 

Students can form close bonds with faculty, gain access to special programs and research grants, and explore courses outside their major to create an educational experience all their own. The links below provide a general overview of the field of study, curriculum, admission requirements, and career opportunities for all of the majors offered at UMass Amherst:

• Accounting
• Afro-American Studies
• Animal Science
• Anthropology
• Arboriculture & Community Forest Management (A.S.)
• Architecture (B.Arch., M.Arch.)
• Art Education (B.F.A., M.Ed.)
• Art History (B.A., M.A.)
• Astronomy (B.S.)
• Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (B.S.)
• Biology (B.S., M.S., Ph.D.)

Umass Amherst financial aid

UMass Amherst is committed to ensuring that students can attain the high-quality education they seek. The university offers financial aid services to help students pay for their education. 

Just last year, UMass students received a total of nearly $1 billion in financial aid, including university, federal, state, and private financial aid. Around 82.0% of incoming students receive some type of financial assistance, most of which is in the form of scholarships and grants. 

The average freshman financial aid offer at UMass Amherst is $17,628.

UMass Amherst provides an Affordability Calculator on its website that allows in-state students to estimate the cost of a UMass education by entering a few pieces of financial data. Students can also find out how much it costs to attend UMass Amherst and see how Financial Aid Services can help them pay for their education

Umass Amherst notable alumni

The University of Massachusetts Amherst has many notable alumni in various fields, including entertainment, sports, and politics. Some of the most famous alumni include Richard Gere, Bill Pullman, Rick Pitino, Jack Welch, Black Francis, Jeff Corwin, and Jack Kallstrom. 

Other notable alumni include Norm Abram ’72 (host of This Old House), Natalie Cole ’72 (singer), and Bill Cosby. The university has also produced successful athletes such as Marcus Camby and Victor Cruz. Buffy Sainte-Marie is a folk/rock singer-songwriter who graduated from UMass Amherst

Contacts

For general campus inquiries, call the main switchboard at 413-545-0111. If on campus, dial 0. Operators are available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. For assistance with UWW registration (Summer/Winter/Online courses), scroll down to the University Without Walls (CPE/OE) section for their contact information. 

The Undergraduate Admissions Office is the best source for answers to your questions about the application and admission process. Our staff is available to answer phone calls from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET, Monday – Friday, and we will be happy to connect as well via email, Zoom, or a scheduled phone call. For COVID-19 related inquiries, visit umass.edu/coronavirus or write to covidinfo@umass.edu

How to apply for Umass Amherst financial aid

Applying for financial aid at UMass Amherst is a straightforward process that begins with filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid programs. To apply, students must provide UMass Amherst’s Federal School Code: 002221.

The amount of financial assistance available varies depending on the student’s or family’s demonstrated ability to pay for college, as calculated by the FAFSA. Generally, 82.0% of incoming students receive some type of financial assistance, most of which is in the form of scholarships and grants. 

On average, first-year students receive $17,628 in financial aid offers, with 20.0% receiving grants of around $4,961 each.

 Additionally, 73.0% of all UMass Amherst students receive grant aid averaging $9,768 per student.

Students can use the Affordability Calculator to estimate the cost of a UMass education based on their financial data. For more information about applying for financial aid at UMass Amherst, visit their Financial Aid Services page or contact 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)

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