University of Massachusetts-Amherst Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

University of Massachusetts-Amherst is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass Amherst) is 63.52%. This means that 64 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.

How Competitive are University of Massachusetts-Amherst Admissions?

  • Competitive: Applicants need good academics and extracurriculars.
  • GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP/IB courses significantly impact admission chances.
  • A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.
University of Massachusetts-Amherst Admission Competitiveness

To secure admission, you must convince the admission staff that you are both mentally and physically fit for the course of study. More importantly, your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. Additionally, if you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as the UMass Amherst is not very strict in its admission process, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.

As the acceptance rate is above 50%, you still have a chance if your GPA is not excellent. You can make up for a lower GPA by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.

Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can enhance your admission chances.

University of Massachusetts-Amherst Admission Requirements

UMass Amherst GPA Requirement

The average GPA of the admitted students at UMass Amherst is 3.7. It means that UMass Amherst is very selective in terms of the GPA. (Please note that most schools report a weighted GPA, which is out of 4.0. However, some schools may use unweighted GPAs. For exact information, contact the school admission staff).

With an average GPA of 3.7, UMass Amherst requires you to be near the top of your class. You need to score mostly A's in all classes to have good chances of admission. A couple of B's will not hurt you much, but more B's will put you in the lower category of the students. Additionally, you must take AP or IB courses to demonstrate your academic ability. More specifically, your AP and IB courses must be related to the area of your selected course of study. For example, if you are planning a career in engineering or IT, courses related to mathematics, calculus, and physics will help you.

If your GPA is less than 3.7 and higher than 3.4 then you need higher SAT or ACT scores to compensate. You need a minimum of 3.3 GPA, to secure admission at UMass Amherst. Below this, the chances of admission will be very slim.

Can I Get Into UMass Amherst Without SAT Or ACT?: University of Massachusetts-Amherst considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.



University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass Amherst) SAT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.

University of Massachusetts-Amherst Average SAT Score: 1376
The average SAT score of the admitted students at University of Massachusetts-Amherst is 1376 on the 1600 SAT scale.

University of Massachusetts-Amherst SAT Competitiveness

Competitiveness

This score makes it Competitive for SAT scores. You need to do well to score 1376 on the SAT.

Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1480 SAT or 33 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. University of Massachusetts-Amherst allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.

If your score is below 1260, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to UMass Amherst. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.

University of Massachusetts-Amherst SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
SAT Math 695630760
SAT Reading 675630720
SAT Composite 137612601480

It means that if you have scored less than 1260 then you are below most of the admitted students at UMass Amherst and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1480 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1400

Can I get into University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass Amherst) with a 1500 SAT?

With a 1500 SAT Score, your chances of admission at University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass Amherst) are good but the admission staff at UMass Amherst tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.

University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass Amherst) ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at UMass Amherst is 31.

University of Massachusetts-Amherst ACT Competitiveness

Competitiveness

This score makes University of Massachusetts-Amherst very Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do very well to score 31 on the ACT.

University of Massachusetts-Amherst ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
ACT Math 292632
ACT English 312735
ACT Composite 312933

Can I get into University of Massachusetts-Amherst with a 33 ACT?

With a 33 ACT Score, your chances of admission at University of Massachusetts-Amherst are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.

SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send

You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to the average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. More importantly, comparing your scores with the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you a better understanding of where you stand. If your score on the SAT is near the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send your SAT score. If your ACT score is near the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.

But there is more, if both of your scores are in the same range, then it is better to send an ACT Score, as in the case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.

Here is how: When sending the ACT Score, you can decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with the SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 31.

UMass Amherst Profile

Name: University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass Amherst)

City: Amherst

URL: www.umass.edu/

State: Massachusetts

Type: Public

Zip: 1003

Campus: Main

Accredited by: New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)


How much does a degree from UMass Amherst Cost?

The average annual cost of the degree at University of Massachusetts-Amherst is USD: 32355. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at University of Massachusetts-Amherst is USD: 21846

How can I get a scholarship?

20.8% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 47.98 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to UMass Amherst and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.

At University of Massachusetts-Amherst, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist UMass Amherst as your choice in the form.

How much a UMass Amherst Graduate make?

The average annual salary of the UMass Amherst graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 71631. An average UMass Amherst graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).

The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595



More Competitive

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Massachusetts-Amherst. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of University of Massachusetts-Amherst, you'll be competitive for these schools.


SchoolLocationSATACT
Thomas Aquinas College Thomas Aquinas College, CA132830
University of Denver University of Denver, CO134830
University of Connecticut University of Connecticut, CT134031
University of Georgia University of Georgia, GA133530
Illinois Institute of Technology Illinois Institute of Technology, IL132830
Centre College Centre College, KY136630
United States Naval Academy United States Naval Academy, MD132629
Bentley University Bentley University, MA134630
College of the Holy Cross College of the Holy Cross, MA136130
Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Wheaton College (Massachusetts), MA134630


Same Competitive

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Massachusetts-Amherst. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for University of Massachusetts-Amherst, you'll be competitive for these schools also.


SchoolLocationSATACT
Loyola Marymount University Loyola Marymount University, CA137831
Santa Clara University Santa Clara University, CA137931
Westmont College Westmont College, CA138032
American University American University, DC138631
Wheaton College Wheaton College, IL136731
More Competitive

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Massachusetts-Amherst. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.


SchoolLocationSATACT
Occidental College Occidental College, CA143433
Connecticut College Connecticut College, CT142732
Wesleyan University Wesleyan University, CT142633
George Washington University George Washington University, DC142033
University of Miami University of Miami, FL140932

Degree Programs


Bachelor Degree Programs


Full list of All degree programs offered by University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.

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