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#1 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

UMass Admission Requirements

Amherst, Massachusetts

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Your chances of getting into University of Massachusetts Amherst

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

63.5%
Admission Difficulty for University of Massachusetts Amherst
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Exceptional 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at UMass is 63.5%.  Its admission rate is the 28th lowest in Massachusetts.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UMass and can you get accepted?

UMass is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 28,871 out of the 45,451 who applied were admitted.

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. 19% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into UMass?

64% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

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 1370 on the SAT
  • Score 31 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

UMass GPA

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?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into UMass are to have around a 3.99 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as UMass accepts 64% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at UMass is 3.99 on the 4.0 scale. 52% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #3 in Massachusetts for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since UMass is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

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

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

UMass SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of Massachusetts Amherst. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 30% of students submitted SAT scores and 5% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1260-1480

Applicants Submitting SAT 

30%
SAT Scores for University of Massachusetts Amherst
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 630
Math 25th Percentile 630
Composite 25th Percentile 1260
SAT Scores for University of Massachusetts Amherst
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 720
Math 75th Percentile 760
Composite 75th Percentile 1480
Average SAT Score 1370

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at UMass is 1370 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1260-1480. Students who get into University of Massachusetts Amherst score in the top 17 percent of all SAT test takers..  UMass ranks #15 in the state of Massachusetts and #120 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1370 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. UMass regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1260 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1260, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1150, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of Massachusetts Amherst is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1370 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1370, you have around a 64% chance of being admitted. A 1480 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 77% chance of getting in.

University of Massachusetts Amherst admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1480 and Above Good >77%
1370 to 1480 Avg + 64%-77%
1260 to 1370 Avg - 48%-64%
1150 to 1260 Reach 33%-48%
Less than 1150 Low <33%
Calculate My Chances 

UMass ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

29-33 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

5%
ACT Scores for University of Massachusetts Amherst
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 27
Math 25th Percentile 26
Composite 25th Percentile 29
ACT Scores for University of Massachusetts Amherst
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 32
Composite 75th Percentile 33
Average ACT Score 31

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

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

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to UMass is 31, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 29 and 33.  The school ranks #16 in Massachusetts and #92 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 31. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 29 and score in the score in the top 9 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 27.

5 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of Massachusetts Amherst is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into UMass for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 31 score has around 64% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 77% with a 33 ACT score.

University of Massachusetts Amherst admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
33 and Above Good >77%
31 to 33 Avg + 64%-77%
29 to 31 Avg - 48%-64%
27 to 29 Reach 33%-48%
Less than 27 Low <33%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

68% of University of Massachusetts Amherst freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 31% are in the top ten percent.

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

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of Massachusetts Amherst admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 23,555 21,896 45,451
Accepted 17,052 11,819 28,871
Acceptance Rate 72% 54% 64%
Enrolled 3,012 2,577 5,589
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 18% 22% 19%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

22

Applicants have 22 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2025.

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 Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Required to be considered for admission

Credits Accepted

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

Admission Requirements Summary

Because UMass is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.99 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1370 on the SAT and 31 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of Massachusetts Amherst often consider these colleges

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

Last updated February 24, 2024