Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at University of Massachusetts-Amherst vary significantly by field of study. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment—not prestige or reputation.
Use this page to compare how different majors perform in the labor market.
Analyzing 58 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out across earnings, national ranking, and enrollment size.
#42 nationally
$90K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at University Of Massachusetts-Amherst.
These programs deliver strong earning potential with Computer Science leading at $111,935 median earnings and ranking #42 nationally. Mechanical Engineering graduates earn $85,357, though ranking lower at #69 nationally.
Both programs attract substantial enrollment, with Computer Science graduating 310 students annually. Engineering programs typically require higher debt levels but justify the investment through consistent high earnings.
This group is best suited for students prioritizing long-term earning potential and willing to handle technical coursework demands.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | #42 |
These rankings reflect post-graduation labor market outcomes based on federal College Scorecard data, which tracks median earnings 10 years after enrollment. Programs at the same institution show different outcomes because career prospects, industry demand, and typical career trajectories vary significantly by field of study. Computer Science and Engineering graduates typically enter higher-paying technology roles, while Education and Social Service fields often lead to lower-paying but socially valuable careers. Rankings reflect actual graduate earnings and employment patterns, not institutional prestige or program reputation. Value scores combine earnings, debt levels, and completion rates to assess overall return on investment. Data includes only programs with sufficient graduate cohorts to ensure statistical reliability, typically requiring at least 10 graduates in the federal tracking system.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| $111,935★ |
| — |
| 310 |
| Computer Engineering, General. | #26 | $109,618 | — | 61 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering. | #41 | $96,212 | — | 48 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #72 | $85,357 | — | 189 |
| Chemical Engineering, Other. | #66 | $84,792 | — | 92 |
| Civil Engineering, General. | #46 | $80,416 | — | 81 |
| Artificial Intelligence. | #145 | $73,023 | — | 30 |
| Industrial Engineering. | #68 | $69,338 | — | 22 |
Business programs show strong earnings variation, with Banking and Financial Support Services leading at $83,610 and Business Administration producing $75,408 median earnings. Applied Economics ranks impressively at #38 nationally with earnings of $79,490.
Accounting Technology delivers exceptional value with $85,464 earnings and ranks #22 nationally. These programs attract large cohorts, with Applied Economics graduating 310 students annually.
This group suits students seeking versatile career paths with solid earning potential across multiple business disciplines.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #23 | $85,464★ | — | 156 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services. | #39 | $83,610 | — | 225 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #40 | $75,408 | — | 266 |
| Digital Marketing. | #87 | $62,209 | — | 155 |
| Brewery/Brewpub Operations/Management. | #25 | $50,238 | — | 119 |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | #47 | $46,170 | — | 92 |
Health programs show strong earning potential with Adult Health Nurse/Nursing graduates earning $81,555 and Behavioral Aspects of Health leading at #6 nationally with $59,268 earnings. Both programs demonstrate excellent value scores above 75, indicating strong return on investment.
Nursing attracts 185 graduates while Behavioral Health serves 274 students. These programs combine service-oriented career paths with solid financial outcomes.
This group suits students committed to healthcare careers seeking both personal fulfillment and financial stability.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #68 | $81,555★ | $20,455 | 185 |
| Behavioral Aspects of Health. | #5 | $59,268 | $22,487 | 274 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. | #38 | $55,230 | — | 60 |
Science programs demonstrate varied outcomes, with Biochemistry and Molecular Biology ranking #7 nationally despite moderate $65,089 earnings, while Mathematics graduates earn $72,247. Biology, General graduates the largest science cohort with 296 students earning $55,281.
These programs often serve as preparation for graduate study, with strong national rankings indicating program quality. Mathematics shows particularly good value at #33 nationally.
This group serves students prioritizing graduate school preparation or research-oriented careers over immediate high earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algebra and Number Theory. | #38 | $72,247★ | — | 237 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. | #8 | $65,089 | — | 166 |
| Immunology. | #2 | $62,835 | — | 53 |
| Aerospace Physiology and Medicine. | #4 | $60,293 | $24,974 | 169 |
| Analytical Chemistry. | #82 | $56,345 | — | 30 |
| Biology, General. | #66 | $55,281 | $22,000 | 296 |
| Acoustics. | #37 | $53,821 | — | 51 |
Social science programs vary significantly in outcomes, with Psychology ranking #14 nationally despite moderate $53,442 earnings, while American Government and Politics produces $59,153 earnings. Psychology demonstrates exceptional value with a 96.2 score and graduates the largest cohort at 475 students.
These programs often lead to diverse career paths including graduate study, public service, and private sector roles. This group serves students prioritizing broad intellectual development and career flexibility over immediate high earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics. | #39 | $79,490★ | $27,000 | 310 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #65 | $59,153 | — | 181 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #39 | $53,721 | — | 110 |
| Psychology, General. | #17 | $53,442 | $32,277 | 475 |
| Anthropology, General. | #141 | $23,803 | — | 38 |
| Social Sciences, Other. | #19 | $16,663 | — | 31 |
Communication and Media Studies delivers strong outcomes with $60,224 median earnings and ranks #18 nationally. The program graduates 295 students annually with an impressive 93.3 value score, indicating excellent return relative to investment.
Digital Marketing shows lower performance at $62,209 earnings but ranks #89 nationally. These programs prepare students for media, marketing, and communication roles in diverse industries.
This group suits students interested in creative communication fields seeking solid earning potential with strong program recognition.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #19 | $60,224★ | $29,931 | 295 |
| Broadcast Journalism. | #44 | $47,930 | — | 104 |
Humanities & Arts graduates earn 40K on average, with 1 program ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalan Language and Literature. | #14 | $61,484★ | — | 62 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #27 | $50,529 | — | 141 |
| American History (United States). | #69 | $49,949 | — | 75 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #33 | $44,644 | — | 49 |
| General Studies. | #115 | $42,130 | — | 95 |
| Ancient/Classical Greek Language and Literature.Small sample | #2 | $41,651 | — | 16 |
| Applied Linguistics. | #34 | $41,501 | — | 49 |
| Chinese Language and Literature.Small sample | #21 | $31,314 | — | 18 |
| Applied and Professional Ethics. | #74 | $30,409 | — | 28 |
| Acting. | #96 | $28,569 | — | 28 |
| Brass Instruments. | #176 | $18,730 | — | 48 |
Education graduates earn 57K on average, with 1 program ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education, General. | #4 | $56,726 | — | 24 |
Agriculture & Environment graduates earn 52K on average, with 3 programs ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs, Other. | #1 🏆 | $89,862★ | — | 68 |
| Brewing Science. | #14 | $63,063 | — | 32 |
| Agricultural Animal Breeding. | #1 🏆 | $56,557 | — | 32 |
| Environmental Science. | #21 | $49,218 | $18,575 | 160 |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians, Other. | #1 🏆 | $42,482 | — | 48 |
| Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding. | #34 | $37,170 | — | 28 |
| Agricultural Production Operations, General. | #12 | $24,615 | — | 31 |
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies shows the most variation with $46,113 median earnings and #56 national ranking. The program serves 280 students but demonstrates lower value scores, indicating challenges in translating educational investment into immediate earning outcomes.
These programs often allow customized academic paths but may require additional career planning to optimize outcomes. This group serves students seeking flexible academic programs who prioritize personal interests over immediate earning maximization.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural Sciences and Technology, Other. | #3 | $64,939★ | — | 119 |
| Legal Studies. | #4 | $60,512 | — | 91 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #31 | $59,208 | $46,103 | 132 |
| African-American/Black Studies. | #24 | $49,321 | — | 23 |
| Landscape Architecture.Small sample | #18 | $48,745 | — | 17 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | #61 | $46,113 | — | 280 |
| Nutrition Sciences. | #33 | $24,746 | — | 64 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
