More selective than 64% of Massachusetts colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
27% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 4% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose University of Massachusetts-Amherst over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What University of Massachusetts-Amherst weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as University of Massachusetts-Amherst reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- High school GPA
- Class rank
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- Work experience
- SAT/ACT scores
- First-generation college student
- Volunteer work
- Interview
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of University of Massachusetts-Amherst first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 4.05. An average above 4.0 means University of Massachusetts-Amherst reports weighted GPAs (extra points for AP, IB, dual enrollment and honors).
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
11,100 offered a spot, 7,261 took it, 2,349 admitted.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
University of Massachusetts-Amherst SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, University of Massachusetts-Amherst is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 650 | 730 |
| SAT math | 660 | 770 |
| ACT composite | 30 | 33 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1310 | 1500 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
University of Massachusetts-Amherst admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 60% | 650–730 | 660–770 | 30–33 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 58% | 650–720 | 650–760 | 29–33 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is University of Massachusetts-Amherst compared with other Massachusetts colleges?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst has the 23rd-lowest acceptance rate of 62 Massachusetts colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Bentley University | 45% | 87% | $37,930 |
| 20 | Laboure College of Healthcare | 50% | 100% | $36,863 |
| 21 | Anna Maria College | 50% | 46% | $28,333 |
| 22 | Emerson College | 51% | 77% | $49,180 |
| 23 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst | 60% | 83% | $22,383 |
| 24 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | 60% | 90% | $43,071 |
| 25 | Hult International Business School | 60% | 67% | $45,447 |
| 26 | Stonehill College | 66% | 76% | $33,016 |
| 27 | Wheaton College (Massachusetts) | 68% | 73% | $29,822 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Massachusetts colleges →
Who enrolls at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
College Scorecard; IPEDS
University of Massachusetts-Amherst admissions questions
What is the University of Massachusetts-Amherst acceptance rate?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst accepts 60% of applicants, about 1 in 2. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 29,129 of 50,424 applicants were admitted.
Does University of Massachusetts-Amherst require the SAT or ACT?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 27% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 4% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
The middle 50% of University of Massachusetts-Amherst enrolled first-year students scored 1310–1500 on the SAT and 30–33 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
18% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (5,286 of 29,129).
What does University of Massachusetts-Amherst look for in applicants?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, high school GPA. Important: class rank, essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent or ability, character and personal qualities, work experience. Considered: sAT/ACT scores, first-generation college student, volunteer work. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does University of Massachusetts-Amherst have early decision?
No. University of Massachusetts-Amherst does not offer binding early decision (Common Data Set 2025-26).
How many students get off the University of Massachusetts-Amherst waitlist?
For fall 2025, 11,100 applicants were offered a waitlist spot, 7,261 accepted one and 2,349 were admitted (32% of those who stayed on the list).
Is University of Massachusetts-Amherst getting harder to get into?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst accepted 60% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 58% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; University of Massachusetts-Amherst's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to University of Massachusetts-Amherst overview