University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

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Founded on the 29th of April in 1863 in Massachusetts, United States, as the University of Massachusetts Agricultural College, the institute has advanced knowledge in all the fields it teaches and has been transforming lives for more than 150 years. The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) was founded to revolutionise education and has reinvented itself from a centre of textiles to a knowledge hub in the tech-based ecosystem. Through the years, the university has evolved and adapted to serve all the students from around the world and bring forth unique talent to the world. 

UMass Amherst has been counted among the top 50 best public value colleges by The Princeton Review, making it a great choice for an international student to pursue their education. It has remained true to its mission throughout its years to increase access to knowledge and improve people’s lives in the Commonwealth, nation, and the world. 

The university, with a special focus on research, talent, and service, has become a key factor in the social, cultural, and economic fabric of the state.

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University of Massachusetts Amherst Key Highlights 

Below are some of the highlights of the University of Massachusetts Amherst:

Established 29th of April, 1863
Chancellor Javier Reyes
University Type Public land-grant research university
University Motto By the Sword, we seek peace, but peace only under liberty
University City Amherst, Massachusetts
Acceptance Rate 57.7%
Faculty to Student Ratio  1:18
Endowment $1.31 Billion 
Campus Size 1,463 Acres
Graduation Rate 83.1%
Employment Rate 85%
Official Website Link University of Massachusetts Amherst
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University of Massachusetts Amherst Rankings & Recognition

The University of Massachusetts Amherst has the following rankings:

  • It was ranked #253 by QS rankings in 2024.
  • According to The Princeton Review 2023, it has been given the top position for the best campus food. 
  • As per Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024, the University of Massachusetts has been ranked #123 
  • According to the Campus Pride Index, the university has received 5 out of 5 stars in 2023 for being the Best of the Best LGBTQ+ friendly colleges and Universities.
  • Ranked as the #26 in 2022 top public colleges and universities by the U.S. News and World Report. University of Massachusetts—Amherst's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #67. 

The University of Massachusetts Amherst has been recognised by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance as Top 100 “Best College Values” in public colleges. It allows for an investment in education and is backed by its recognition from the top reporters. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

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University of Massachusetts Amherst Campus Details 

The campus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst is diverse and offers a range of activities for them to partake in when in college. The campus life of students living in UMass Amherst feel like they are at their second home. They have defined residence communities, which help them live with people who share their values and interests. The student's health and safety concerns are also kept as the top priority by the university which leads them to provide caring and robust services to their students. These services include mental health care, physical health care, support of diversity, etc. 

Offering multiple activities like water polo, beekeeping, spoken word poetry and more the students have the opportunity to find a community that shares the same interests as them. The university boasts more than 400 organizations, and intramural and sports clubs with a robust volunteering network for students to expand their boundaries.

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Programs Offered by University of Massachusetts Amherst

Students have the option of choosing from over 100 major subjects for part-time and full-time studies. Students have the opportunity to expand their horizons with the programs offered by the university both on-campus and off-campus through the Five College Consortium. 

Some of the variety of areas of study offered by the university for undergraduate and graduate studies are as follows:

The University of Massachusetts also offers online and blended format programs for its students to expand their education. Few more programs students can consider studying at the university are as follows:

Programs Intake Tuition Fees 
Biostatistics Fall Intake $35,714 per year
Economics Fall Intake $35,714 per year
Electrical and Computer Engineering Fall & Spring Intake $35,714 per year
Nursing Fall Intake $1,000 per sem
Chemical Engineering Fall & Spring Intake $40,882 per year
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University of Massachusetts Amherst Admission Details

The University of Massachusetts Amherst has different deadlines for different programs, as mentioned below.

University of Massachusetts Amherst Application Deadlines

Deadline for undergraduate programs

Common Application Open 1st of August 2024
Spring Application Deadline 15th of October 2024
Early-Action Application Deadline 5th of November 2024
Spring Reply Deadline 15th of December 2024
Regular- Decision Deadline 15th of January 2024

Deadline for graduate programs

Semester Deadline 
Spring 1st of October 2024
Fall Varies by Program


Don't Miss Out: USA University 2024 Application Deadline - Apply Today
 

University of Massachusetts Amherst Admission Requirements

International students can submit applications for the University of Massachusetts Amherst for admission where the following documents are required for their admission:

For Undergraduate Programs

  • Official transcripts 
  • English Proficiency Test Results
  • Letters of Recommendation 
  • Secondary School Exam Result
  • SAT/ ACT score (optional)
  • Audition/ Portfolio for certain courses like art, dance
  • Financial and Visa Information

For Graduate Programs

  • English Proficiency Test Results
  • A degree from a qualified international institution
  • Official transcripts

University of Massachusetts Amherst Admission Process 

The University of Massachusetts Amherst uses the Common Application, requiring a non-refundable $85 fee. After submission, allow 7-10 days for processing. Applicants must ensure the accuracy of their personal information, including name, email address, mailing address, and ethnicity.

For Undergraduate Programs

Step 1: Choose a major - choose from the several majors provided by the university that align with your interests, and goals. 

Step 2: Apply using the Common Application form - make sure that you have adequate finances to pay for your education and use the Common Application form to enroll in the major of your choice.

Step 3: Mail your transcript - get your school counselor or teacher to mail your high school transcripts to the University’s International Admissions Office.

Step 4: Submit your English Proficiency test and SAT/ ACT results on the form

Step 5: Submit your letter of recommendation - have your counselor or principal submit an academic letter of recommendation on the application form to complete it.

Step 6: Send in your portfolio - submit your auditions/ portfolio to the Admissions Office if your course requires it. 

For Graduate Programs

Step 1: Make an account on the Slate for Grad Admissions

Step 2: Submit the official transcript from colleges/universities you attended

Step 3: Sumit a personal statement and resume - send in your personal statement and resume through your online application directly or attach them in a PDF form

Step 4: Submit your letters of recommendation along with your English Proficiency test result

Step 5: Submit your GRE/GMAT Scores if required by your program

Step 6: Disclose your criminal history and disciplinary information and submit. 

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Exams Accepted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst

The University of Massachusetts Amherst needs English proficiency test results such as TOEFL [Test of English as a Foreign Language], IELTS [International English Language Testing System], or Duolingo test in English proficiency to enroll international students. The acceptable exams with respective scores are as follows:

  • TOEFL: minimum composite score of 80
  • IELTS: minimum composite score of 6.5 
  • Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: minimum composite score of 176
  • Duolingo English Test: minimum composite score of 115
  • English Education: students must have an entire four-year secondary education at school with English as their primary language
  • GRE - 
    • Verbal and Quantitative: Minimum ~150 each
    • Analytical Writing: Minimum ~3.5
  • GMAT - Minimum score of 550 or more required

While it is not compulsory, students may also choose to give an unscripted interview to add to their application form. 

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Tuition Fees and Other Expenses at the University of Massachusetts Amherst 

Tuition fees play an important role when selecting any university to study at. The tuition fees and other living expenses students can incur at the time of living in Massachusetts can vary according to the expenses and lifestyle preferred by the student. The average cost calculated by the University for international students is as follows:

Program  Tuition fee [ 9 months]
Undergraduate Program $40,882
Graduate Program $35,714

Cost of Living Breakdown for Undergraduate Programs:

Housing $9,462
Meals  $8,322
Miscellaneous $1,000
Books $1,200

Cost of Living Breakdown forGraduate Programs:

Housing $17,160
Meals  $9,672
Books $1,200
Travel  $950
Miscellaneous  $1,000


Find out about expenses covered under education loan

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Financial Aid & Scholarships by University of Massachusetts Amherst

The University of Massachusetts Amherst provides its students with an opportunity to invest in their education. It provides them with two different types of financial aid which can be need-based (not available to international students) and non-need-based (available to international students). These aids include:

  • Gift aid like grants, scholarships, tuition credits
  • Self-help aid like loans and work-study

Loans are a non-need-based financial aid available to international students through the following lender programs:

Lender Programs Minimum Loan Amount
AAA Advantage Student Loan $1,000
Citizens Bank Student Loan $1,000
College Ave Undergraduate Loan $1,000
NHHEAF Network- EDvestinU Loans $1,000
Nelnet Undergraduate Loan $1,000
Sallie Mae Smart Option Loan $1,000
Sofi Private Loan for Undergraduate $5,000
Union Federal Private Student Loan $1,000

The scholarships for the University of Massachusetts Amherst are privately funded by alumni members of the university or a parent or friend of the university. The students are selected due to their personal qualities and academic abilities that set them apart from others. Some of these scholarships are as follows:

For Undergraduate Programs

Scholarship  Offered by
The Gates Millennium Scholarship Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Reserve Officers Training Corps Scholarships The Department of Aerospace Studies and The Department of Military Science

For Graduate Programs

Funding for graduate courses are made to students at the time of admission and all its details are provided in a letter. The most common funding is paid teaching or research assistantship which is offered to students. 

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Jobs & Placement Opportunities by the University of Massachusetts Amherst

The students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst receive the best of opportunities to get into their industries with the leading industry experts. In 2023, a total of 1,724 unique employers hired students from universities who had bachelor's degrees and were recipients of certain majors. 

The University of Massachusetts has some of the top employers in their list of recruiters who employ their bachelor's degree recipients from across all fields. Some of them include:

  • Mass General Brigham
  • TX
  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  • Amazon
  • Fidelity 
  • TJX
  • Dana- Farber
  • Boston Children
  • DELL technologies
  • EY
Top Industries of Employment  Number of Graduates selected
Healthcare  391
Internet and Software 230
Accounting  99
Biotech and Life Sciences 94
Defense  88
Construction  83
Investment / Portfolio Management 78
K-12 Education 64
Non-profit Other 64
Higher Education  63

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Accommodation by the University of Massachusetts Amherst

The residential life of the students is assisted by the university’s housing accommodations, which provide them with reasonable rates. The university has residence halls which the student can apply for and choose as per their preference. These halls are divided into further sections and are also available for students suffering from a disability to make education and life easier for them. The various halls that are unique and the student has the option to choose from are as follows:

  • 24-hour quiet floor in the Central and Southwest Area
  • Alcohol-free residence hall in the Central Area of Brooks Hall
  • Gender Inclusive Housing
  • Mixed-gender housing
  • Single-gender housing 
  • Co-ed Suites in CHRC, Sylvan Area, and North Apartments
  • Break Housing Residence Hall in various areas 
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Notable Alumni from University of Massachusetts Amherst 

The alumni from the University of Massachusetts Amherst are spread worldwide and are currently in diverse professions. Some of the most notable alumni of the University of Massachusetts Amherst are as follows:

Alumni Profession Achievements 
Natasha Tretheway  American Poet Won the Pulitzer Prize in poetry in 2007
Becca Balint  American Politician The U.S. representative for Vermont’s at-large congressional district
Betty Shabazz Cibil Rights Advocate Married to Malcolm X
Russell Hulse American Physicist Nobel Prize winner in Physics
Julius Erving Professional Basketball Player Hall of Fame
Bill Cosby Actor and Comedian  Famous as the “American Dad” after The Cosby Show
Anshuman Jain Business executive Former co-CEO and co-chairman of Deutsche Bank

Building a career with the right university backing your education is very important to achieving your dreams. Choose the University of Massachusetts Amherst where you get a chance to become the leading expert in your field and have the opportunity to be recruited by the top companies and get a chance to work globally.

Elevate your education with GyanDhan by getting substantial funds to finance your dreams. You will get a streamlined process of studying abroad, which will make your journey all the smoother and simpler with our international loans, study abroad counseling, forex services, credit card solutions, and other services. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the University of Massachusetts Amherst located?

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America.

What are the special admission requirements for international students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst?

International students require the following documents apart from their degree mark sheet to get admission into the University of Massachusetts Amherst:

  • An English Proficiency test 
  • Transcript
  • Essay
  • Letter of Recommendation
What is the employment rate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst?

The employment rate for the University of Massachusetts Amherst is 85%.

How hard is it to get into the University of Massachusetts Amherst?

Getting into the University of Massachusetts is simple as long as you have good grades and all the requirements are fulfilled as seen by its acceptance rate of 57.7%.

Is the University of Massachusetts Amherst for international students?

Yes, the University of Massachusetts Amherst accepts students from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds.