University of Massachusetts
A Guide to UMass, One of New England’s Largest Public Universities
If you're searching for a large, diversified campus set in a beautiful rural area of New England, look no further than the main campus of the University of Massachusetts.
Where is the University of Massachusetts? The main branch in Amherst is a 1,450-acre campus in the rustic Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts. It’s 50 miles from Hartford, CT; 90 miles from Boston, and 175 miles from New York City.
Despite its rural location, there’s plenty to do at UMass. The sprawling campus itself hosts a number of eateries and fun places to hang out, and it’s only a short walk downtown to find hip restaurants and shopping. If you’re looking for a little more, it’s a 10-minute drive to Hadley, MA, where you can find a mall, restaurants and hotels. And the small urban city of Springfield, MA, is just a 40-minute drive away.
What basic information should I know about UMass Amherst?
- Enrollment: 25,593 students
- Type of school: State university
- Student/Faculty Ratio: 21:1
- In-state tuition: $9,955 annually. With room, board, and fees, about $16,584.
- Out-of-state tuition: $19,317 annually. With room, board, and fees, about $26,305.
What’s life at the University of Massachusetts like?
The campus is enormous, so the majority of classes take place in big lecture halls. As a freshman, a good way to avoid this is to look into either the Talent Advancement Program (TAP) or Commonwealth College (the university’s honors program).
For certain majors—including English, psychology, and a few science programs—TAP is a huge help for incoming freshmen. A small group of students—usually fewer than 20—in each major live on the same residence hall floor and take a few introductory courses together their first year. It provides these new students with an opportunity to bond with other students in their major while also “shrinking” the large university to a more comfortable size.
For gifted students looking for smaller classes with more academic rigor, there’s Commonwealth College. Only 500 freshman students are admitted into this competitive honors program each year, and they get the opportunity to attend smaller, more intensive classes, as well as “Pizza and Prof Night” seminars.
What areas of study is UMass best known for?
The liberal arts majors, particularly communication and psychology, are excellent at UMass. Other programs of note include the music department, HRTA (Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration), and an outstanding business program.
What’s special about the University of Massachusetts?
For a public university, UMass has gained a strong reputation for being academically excellent. The 2008 U.S. News and World Report listed UMass as #96 on its list of the top 100 universities in the United States. And the Isenberg School of Management was ranked #1 among public MBA schools in the Northeast by U.S. News and World Report.
If none of the university’s 88 available majors seem appealing, UMass also offers BDIC (Bachelor’s Degree with Individual Concentration). Students use this flexible program to create their own program of study, under the supervision of a faculty advisor. This program has been the saving grace for many students who wanted to attend UMass but couldn’t find a major to fit their needs.
Students also have the option of taking courses at four neighboring colleges—Amherst College, Smith College, Mount Holyoke, and Hampshire College—while enrolled at UMass. The Five-College system is a fantastic opportunity to take courses at smaller, more prestigious schools while paying a public university-sized tuition.
