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

University of Massachusetts-Amherst Acceptance Rate

University of Massachusetts-Amherst is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of University of Massachusetts-Amherst is 57.8%. This means that 58 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.

Admissions Guidelines

• Broad Evaluation: Personal growth and vocational goals are considered alongside grades.
• Flexible Standards: Strengths in extracurriculars can often balance an average GPA.

Selectivity at a Glance

Somewhat Selective

Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 57.8% acceptance rate

Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range

Admission Category

Strategic Requirement

3.99 – 4.00

Target Match

Maintain Rigor & High Testing

3.79 – 3.98

Competitive Reach

Focus on Score Compensation

Below 3.54

Secondary Reach

Requires Contextual Support

Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.

UMass Amherst GPA Requirement

The average GPA of the admitted students at UMass Amherst is 3.99. This indicates extreme selectivity in admissions.

To have strong chances, you must aim for straight A's in all courses.

If your GPA is between 3.69 and 3.99, then you need a high SAT or ACT score to compensate.

Check Your Admission Chances at UMass Amherst

University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass Amherst) Test Requirements

In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.

Can I Get Into UMass Amherst Without SAT or ACT?

University of Massachusetts-Amherst Average SAT Score: 1393

The average SAT score of the admitted students at University of Massachusetts-Amherst is 1393 on the 1600 SAT scale.

SAT Competitiveness

SAT 1393 — Competitive

This score makes it Competitive for SAT scores. You need to do well to score 1393 on the SAT.

If your score is below 1300, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at UMass Amherst. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.

SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

It means that if you have scored less than 1300 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.

ACT Competitiveness

ACT 31 — Very Competitive

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

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

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

A 33 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at University of Massachusetts-Amherst — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at University of Massachusetts-Amherst use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.

Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.

One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that University of Massachusetts-Amherst — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether University of Massachusetts-Amherst uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.

Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 33 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.

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

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst Profile

Is a UMass Amherst Degree Worth It?

Compare Similar Colleges

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, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Chapman University	Orange, CA	1353	30
Pepperdine University	Malibu, CA	1367	29
Westmont College	Santa Barbara, CA	1367	32
University of Colorado Boulder	Boulder, CO	1353	31
University of Denver	Denver, CO	1344	31
United States Air Force Academy	USAF Academy, CO	1362	30
Wheaton College	Wheaton, IL	1363	30
Centre College	Danville, KY	1345	29
St. John's College	Annapolis, MD	1381	31
Emerson College	Boston, MA	1359	32

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 is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Colorado School of Mines	Golden, CO	1403	31
Trinity College	Hartford, CT	1396	32
American University	Washington, DC	1392	31
University of Florida	Gainesville, FL	1397	31
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology	Terre Haute, IN	1389	32

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.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Northeastern University Oakland	Oakland, CA	1472	32
Occidental College	Los Angeles, CA	1461	33
Colorado College	Colorado Springs, CO	1445	33
George Washington University	Washington, DC	1433	33
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus	Atlanta, GA	1447	31

Degree Programs at UMass Amherst

Bachelor Degree Programs

Full list of all degree programs offered by University of Massachusetts-Amherst →

Frequently Asked Questions About UMass Amherst Admissions