,·Public Research University·Est. 1863
“Massachusetts' flagship public university — world-class research meets New England tradition.”
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is the flagship campus of the five-campus UMass system and one of the most comprehensive public research universities in the Northeast. Founded in 1863 as a land-grant institution, UMass Amherst today enrolls more than 32,000 students across nine schools and colleges, offering more than 100 undergraduate majors in everything from polymer science to theater. The campus sits in the scenic Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts, embedded in the Five College Consortium alongside Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith colleges. This unique arrangement gives UMass students access to courses, libraries, and social communities at all five institutions — a remarkable academic resource available to undergraduates at a public university price. UMass Amherst consistently ranks among the top public universities in the Northeast and is home to nationally recognized programs in polymer science, computer science, engineering, and its celebrated Commonwealth Honors College. The lively college-town environment of Amherst, combined with strong Division I athletics and a spirited campus culture, makes UMass a destination for students who want big-university energy in a beautiful setting.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Top Public Schools
US News 2026
Times Higher Education World Rankings
THE 2025
Polymer Science & Engineering
US News 2026
Computer Science
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Action
Non-binding; priority for merit aid
Regular Decision
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
$18,197
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$41,639
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Renowned for polymer science, chemistry, biology, and mathematics, with significant federally funded research.
Top-ranked CS school offering programs in computing, data science, and AI with strong industry placement.
Highly regarded AACSB-accredited business school known for finance, accounting, and sport management.
ABET-accredited programs in mechanical, electrical, civil, and chemical engineering.
Strong programs in psychology, sociology, political science, and communication.
4 years
Top-20 CS program nationally. Strong in AI/NLP/RL — UMass faculty have founded major AI labs and CICS has produced leading researchers at Google, Meta, OpenAI, and DeepMind. STEM-designated.
4 years
Consistently ranked the #1 or top-3 undergraduate Sport Management program in the U.S. UMass alumni run major teams, leagues, and agencies — Mark Shapiro (CEO Endeavor), and many MLB/NBA/NFL execs are alums.
4 years
UMass Amherst's Polymer Science & Engineering Department is consistently ranked #1 in the world for materials/polymers. Undergraduates can pursue chem-eng or chemistry-focused polymer tracks with direct lab access.
4 years
Capstone independent research project in any major, supervised by faculty. Students live in the dedicated Honors residential complex and access dedicated research/funding resources.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $55,056
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
