UMass Amherst combines moderate admission standards with strong economic mobility outcomes. As a Selective Achiever institution, the university produces graduates earning $11,088 more than peer institutions while maintaining manageable debt levels and serving diverse student populations seeking reliable pathways to career success.
Strong long-term earnings that exceed peer institutions significantly
Moderate debt levels and net prices that are above peer medians but remain manageable relative to outcomes achieved
Top-tier ability to convert educational access into earnings growth
Top-tier ability to convert educational access into earnings growth
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisTop-tier mobility performance at 93.1st percentile
University of Massachusetts-Amherst ranks #181 nationally in Azimuth's analysis, with top-tier mobility performance at the 93.1st percentile. Located in Amherst, Massachusetts, this large public research university maintains moderate selectivity with a 57.8% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
UMass Amherst enrolls 20.3% Pell-eligible students and 21.6% first-generation students, placing it well above typical peers on access measures. Graduates earn a median of $71,631 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 87.0th percentile nationally.
The institution achieves earnings around the national average relative to student demographics, with a value-added performance that positions it as a Selective Achiever. This designation reflects the university's combination of moderate selectivity with strong outcomes, serving a student population with somewhat limited low-income representation while maintaining excellent post-graduation results.
UMass Amherst demonstrates balanced performance across all institutional pillars, with particularly strong mobility and access rankings that support economic advancement for diverse student populations.
UMass Amherst delivers solid earnings outcomes relative to its moderate selectivity profile. Graduates earn a median of $71,631 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 87.0th percentile nationally and exceeding the peer median of $60,543 by $11,088 annually.
Earnings range from $43,210 at the 25th percentile to $103,346 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across the university's diverse academic programs. While the institution generates earnings around the national average relative to student demographics, the absolute earning levels remain strong.
Students seeking strong post-graduation outcomes at a large public research university with solid access measures. Well-suited for those wanting high-quality academics without extreme selectivity, particularly in STEM fields, business, and social sciences.
The university serves both in-state and out-of-state students looking for mobility-focused education.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the University Of Massachusetts-Amherst hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-massachusetts-amherst/analysis.
Computer Science.
310 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
61 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
48 graduates
Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs, Other.
68 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
156 graduates
UMass Amherst offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Psychology, General ranks #14 nationally and #1 in Massachusetts, graduating 475 students with median earnings of $53,442 and a value score of 96.2.
Applied Economics ranks #38 nationally and #7 in Massachusetts, producing 310 graduates with median earnings of $79,490. Computer Science ranks #42 nationally and #7 in Massachusetts, graduating 310 students with median earnings of $111,935 and a value score of 77.6.
Biology, General ranks #66 nationally and #8 in Massachusetts, with 296 graduates earning $55,281. Communication and Media Studies ranks #18 nationally and #2 in Massachusetts, graduating 295 students with median earnings of $60,224.
Behavioral Aspects of Health ranks #6 nationally and #1 in Massachusetts, producing 274 graduates with median earnings of $59,268. Business Administration and Management ranks #42 nationally and #5 in Massachusetts, with 266 graduates earning $75,408.
The university's program portfolio demonstrates strength across multiple fields, with several programs achieving top-10 national rankings.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Higher acceptance rate (34.4 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 94 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MA | 92% | $68,804 | Compare |
Roger Williams University Higher acceptance rate (30 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 83 miles away; similar graduate earnings | RI | 88% | $70,266 | Compare |
Assumption University Higher acceptance rate (28.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 36 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MA | 87% | $74,895 | Compare |
Iona University Higher acceptance rate (33.4 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 91% | $73,595 | Compare |
University At Buffalo Higher acceptance rate (11.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 69% | $70,814 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Similar quality tier (#176 ranked) | CO | 78% | $64,270 | #176 | Compare |
Oregon State University Similar quality tier (#178 ranked) | OR | 79% | $64,010 | #178 | Compare |
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Similar quality tier (#173 ranked) | OK | 71% | $57,413 | #173 | Compare |
East Carolina University Similar quality tier (#180 ranked) | NC | 90% | $55,146 | #180 | Compare |
University Of Missouri-Columbia Similar quality tier (#181 ranked) | MO | 77% | $63,403 | #181 | Compare |
UMass Amherst admits approximately 57.8% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 5 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places the university in the Moderately Selective category, making it more accessible than highly competitive institutions while maintaining meaningful admission standards.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates that UMass Amherst is more selective than typical four-year public institutions, requiring stronger academic credentials for admission. This level of selectivity means that students with solid academic records have reasonable admission prospects, though the university still maintains standards that screen for college readiness.
Students should expect competition for admission, particularly for popular programs like Computer Science and Business, but the moderate selectivity suggests that well-prepared applicants face manageable admission odds. For students building college lists, UMass Amherst represents a strong middle-ground option between highly competitive flagship universities and more accessible regional institutions.
The admission rate reflects the university's position as a respected public research institution that balances access with academic quality, making it an appropriate target school for students with above-average but not exceptional academic credentials.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
UMass Amherst's published cost of attendance is $33,389 per year for out-of-state students, including $39,293 in out-of-state tuition, $14,869 for room and board, and $1,000 for books and supplies. In-state students pay significantly less with tuition of $17,357.
However, the average student pays $23,691 after financial aid, representing savings of $9,698 from the sticker price. This net price is higher than the peer median of $15,590, reflecting UMass Amherst's position as a more expensive option within its comparison group.
The gap between published price and net price demonstrates meaningful financial aid distribution, though the university's aid targeting may not be as aggressive as some peer institutions. Students should expect net costs to vary significantly based on family income, with the university providing more substantial aid to lower-income families.
The overall cost structure reflects a public research university that charges premium prices but provides solid outcomes to justify the investment.
UMass Amherst graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over their early career trajectory. Median earnings rise from $60,347 six years after enrollment to $66,904 at eight years and $71,631 at ten years, representing 18.7% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 1,215 graduates, providing solid confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn around the national average relative to similar students, with earnings performance that reflects the university's balanced approach to access and outcomes.
Low-income graduates earn $52,500, demonstrating the institution's ability to support economic mobility for students from diverse backgrounds. The earnings distribution spans from $43,210 at the 25th percentile to $103,346 at the 75th percentile, a 2.4:1 ratio that reflects differences in program choice and career trajectory.
Approximately 25.4% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education. The university's consistent earnings performance across different demographic groups reinforces its role as a reliable pathway to middle-class and upper-middle-class careers.
UMass Amherst graduates achieve earnings that exceed peer institutions by significant margins while maintaining manageable debt levels, supporting sustainable financial outcomes.
