UMass Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- Amherst, MA
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UMass Admission Overview
UMass admission requirements are competitive. Last year UMass admitted 59.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.99 GPA (A) and SAT 1310-1500 / ACT 30-33. UMass is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
UMass is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
UMass Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Average
Admission difficulty for University of Massachusetts Amherst
Acceptance Rate
The UMass acceptance rate is 59.7%. Last year, 30,020 of 50,261 applicants were admitted. That is the 24th lowest acceptance rate in Massachusetts.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into UMass and can you get accepted?
UMass is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
University of Massachusetts Amherst typically 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. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
UMass GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.99Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
AAverage GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.99
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at UMass typically have around a 3.99 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. UMass is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
52% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #3 in Massachusetts for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
UMass Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is test-optional for first-year applicants in every major. SAT or ACT scores are not required. If you send official scores from the testing agency, they are included in holistic review and the university superscores. Self-reported scores are not accepted. Applicants who skip the SAT and ACT are still considered for merit scholarships and special programs, and homeschooled students in an approved curriculum do not have to send scores.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.umass.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/connect/information-policies/test-optional-policy
UMass SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1310-1500Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
22%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 650
- Math 660
- Composite 1310
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 730
- Math 770
- Composite 1500
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at UMass typically score around a 1410 SAT (middle 50% 1310–1500) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 96th percentile nationally. UMass ranks #15 in the state of Massachusetts and #96 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1310 to 1500
SAT policy
UMass is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1410 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
UMass ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
30-33Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
3%25th Percentile Scores
- English 29
- Math 27
- Composite 30
75th Percentile Scores
- English 35
- Math 33
- Composite 33
Average ACT
Incoming testers at UMass typically have around a 31 ACT (mid-50 30–33) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 95th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UMass places #15 among colleges in Massachusetts and #99 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 30 to 33
ACT policy
You may apply to UMass without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 31.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
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.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the UMass chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to University of Massachusetts Amherst and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 15, 2027Days left to Apply
137Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Massachusetts Amherst is $85.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
UMass is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 59.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.99 GPA (about an A average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1310-1500); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to University of Massachusetts Amherst often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=166629.
GPA calculator: University of Massachusetts Amherst GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026