University of Massachusetts Amherst prices differently across income levels, and the spread is meaningful. Low-income families pay approximately $10,164 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $12,932, and higher-income families pay closer to $30,793.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $34,549 |
| Tuition and Fees | $40,449 |
| Room and Board | $16,710 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$12,166 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $22,383 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $10,164 |
| $30–48k | $10,456 |
| $48–75k | $12,932 |
| $75–110k | $18,964 |
| $110k+ | $30,793 |
University of Massachusetts Amherst prices differently across income levels, and the spread is meaningful. Low-income families pay approximately $10,164 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $12,932, and higher-income families pay closer to $30,793. Azimuth ranks University of Massachusetts-Amherst #769 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The published cost of attendance is $34,549, but need-based aid closes a meaningful portion of that gap for qualifying families, and the difference between sticker price and what students actually pay is a net price illusion worth understanding before drawing conclusions from the headline figure. UMass Amherst participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, with need-based grants available through the FAFSA. The university's public-institution structure keeps in-state net prices more accessible than comparable private research universities, and the income-band spread suggests that aid packaging is meaningfully differentiated — lower-income families see substantially reduced costs relative to higher-income families, reflecting the institution's reliance on need-based rather than merit-only aid. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,763, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $26,243; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $78,620, median federal debt of $22,763 projects to a monthly payment of about $257 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of University of Massachusetts-Amherst earn median earnings of $78,620 four years after enrollment, placing University of Massachusetts-Amherst in the 86.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs above the $65,228 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band). Graduates earn about $7,679 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 82.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Massachusetts-Amherst #247 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects a Business-anchored program mix — Business accounts for 14% of degrees, followed by Social Sciences at 10% and Engineering at 7%. Computer Science combines large cohort scale with strong pay, making it a key driver of the university's overall return profile. Azimuth ranks Psychology, General #172 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions , with 547 graduates earning median earnings of $51,274 four years after enrollment. Computer Science ranks #49 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions with 391 graduates earning median earnings of $123,519, and Economics ranks #78 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions with graduates earning median earnings of $80,434. Among the most popular fields, Biology, General program graduates 317 students annually with median earnings of $72,726, while The Interdisciplinary Studies program graduates 316 students with median earnings of $63,383 four years after enrollment.
