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#1 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

UMass Admission Requirements

Amherst, Massachusetts

 1 Reviews

Chances of getting into University of Massachusetts Amherst

Acceptance Rate

Admitted 
66%
Admission Difficulty for University of Massachusetts Amherst
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Exceptional 
Applicant Competition Low 
How hard is it to get into UMass and can I get accepted?

The acceptance rate at UMass is 66%.  It ranks #27 in Massachusetts for lowest rate of acceptance. UMass is a moderately competitive school to get into with a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the requirements. Last year, 27,877 out of 42,540 applicants were admitted.

The school has extremely high admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 15 percent on standardized admission tests. University of Massachusetts Amherst typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.99. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 17% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

The UMass application fee is $85 and applications are due by Jan 15.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of Massachusetts Amherst you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.99 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1360 on the SAT
  • Score 30 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class
  • Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of Massachusetts Amherst. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 26% of students submitted SAT scores and 5% submitted ACT scores for admission for the 2021/2022 academic year..

UMass SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 
1250-1460
Applicants Submitting SAT 
26%
SAT Scores for University of Massachusetts Amherst
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 25th 620
SAT Math 25th 630
SAT Composite 25th 1250
SAT Scores for University of Massachusetts Amherst
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 75th 710
SAT Math 75th 750
SAT Composite 75th 1460
Average SAT Score 1360

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to University of Massachusetts Amherst?

University of Massachusetts Amherst is a test optional school meaning applicants are not required to submit SAT scores with their application. The position on SAT scores from the school is "considered but not required".

Students who get into University of Massachusetts Amherst score in the top 18 percent of all SAT test takers.. The SAT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 1250-1460.

Find other colleges with similar SAT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

University of Massachusetts Amherst admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1460 and Above Good >79%
1355 to 1460 Avg + 66%-79%
1250 to 1355 Avg - 51%-66%
1145 to 1250 Reach 35%-51%
Less than 1145 Low <35%
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UMass ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 
28-33 
Applicants Submitting ACT 
5%
ACT Scores for University of Massachusetts Amherst
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 25th 27
ACT Math 25th 26
ACT Composite 25th 28
ACT Scores for University of Massachusetts Amherst
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 75th 34
ACT Math 75th 33
ACT Composite 75th 33
Average ACT Score 30

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into UMass?

University of Massachusetts Amherst is test optional. Students are not required to submit ACT scores with their application. The policy on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

UMass regularly accepts students who score 28 and above on the ACT. These students typically score in the top 12 percent nationally. The ACT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 28-33.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

University of Massachusetts Amherst admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
33 and Above Good >81%
30 to 33 Avg + 66%-81%
28 to 30 Avg - 54%-66%
26 to 28 Reach 41%-54%
Less than 26 Low <41%
Calculate My Chances 

UMass GPA

Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 
3.99
Typical High School Grades 
A-

What GPA do you need to get into University of Massachusetts Amherst?

Applicants require exceptionally good grades to get into UMass. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at University of Massachusetts Amherst was 3.99 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily A- students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #3 in Massachusetts for highest average GPA. If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as UMass accepts 66% of students who apply.

 What do these ratings mean?

Explore more colleges with similar GPA requirements

High School GPA's for admitted University of Massachusetts Amherst students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 52.3% Avg +
3.75 to 3.99 24.8% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 15.8% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 5.3% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 1.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.6% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.2% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

High School Class Rank

68.5% of University of Massachusetts Amherst freshman were in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Massachusetts Amherst students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 30.7%
Top 25% of class 68.5%
Top 50% of class 96%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

University of Massachusetts Amherst admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 22,777 19,763 42,540
Accepted 16,395 11,482 27,877
Acceptance Rate 72% 58% 66%
Enrolled 2,634 2,238 4,872
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 16% 19% 17%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Fall 2023 Application Deadline

Applications were Due
Jan 15, 2023
Days left to Apply
None

The application deadline for Fall 2023 has passed. Applications were due on Jan 15, 2023.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Massachusetts Amherst is $85.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Massachusetts Amherst and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Massachusetts Amherst Application Requirements
Test Scores Considered but not required
High School GPA Required
High School Class Rank Recommended
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required
Recommendations Required
Demonstration of Competencies Required

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of Massachusetts Amherst
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes
Other Colleges to Consider 

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=166629 IPEDS survey data for University of Massachusetts Amherst.

FAQs

Does University of Massachusetts Amherst prefer SAT or ACT?

26% of students submit their SAT scores to UMass. 5% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into University of Massachusetts Amherst?

66% of those who apply are granted admission to UMass. Admission competition is low and the college has exceptional admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for University of Massachusetts Amherst?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1250 and 1460. 26% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for University of Massachusetts Amherst?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 28 and 33. 5% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.