The University of Massachusetts Amherst is the flagship campus of the UMass system and the largest public university in New England. It is known for its top-ranked computer science program, strong linguistics department, and membership in the Five College Consortium, which allows cross-registration with Amherst, Smith, Mount Holyoke, and Hampshire colleges.
Mascot: Minuteman
Notable Alumni
Julius Erving (NBA legend, Dr. J)•Jack Welch (former CEO of GE)•Natasha Trethewey (U.S. Poet Laureate)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Campus Experience
The 'ZooMass' nickname is fading as the campus matures, but the social scene remains active — Southwest Residential Area on a warm Friday night still has energy, and the party scene thrives through sheer student volume rather than Greek infrastructure (only about 5-6% go Greek). The social energy comes from dorm parties, off-campus houses, and the Five College Consortium, which adds Amherst, Hampshire, Smith, and Mt. Holyoke into the mix. Increasingly strong academics in CS, engineering, and linguistics deserve more recognition.
The campus pond and surrounding Pioneer Valley hills are scenic, but brutalist concrete towers and utilitarian mid-century buildings dominate the core campus and drag down the overall look.
Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.
Safety
UMass Police provide 24/7 patrols, late-night transportation, and electronically secured dorms. On-campus criminal offenses have been declining, with most incidents involving property crime.
The town of Amherst is a quiet, rural New England college community. Crime rates are well below national averages, and the surrounding Pioneer Valley area is peaceful.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Plan Your Visit
Schedule: Daily on weekdays throughout the academic year. Info session + tour or tour-only options.
Duration: ~2 hours (combined information session and campus tour)
Sign up at yes.umass.edu/portal/visits. Group tours available for schools and CBOs (10-60 students). In light rain or snow, tours proceed with indoor routing; severe weather may result in alternative programming.
Book a TouriMap self-guided walking tour app helps you find your way around campus and learn about different locations. Available anytime — just show up and explore.
Tour ResourcesMid-September through October for peak New England fall foliage — the Pioneer Valley is stunning. Late April through early May is also great with spring activity. Avoid January-February (cold, snowy) and summer break. Destination Days in spring are the premier admitted-student events.
Park in the Campus Center Parking Garage at 91 Campus Center Way (open 24/7, $1.50/hr metered). One-day passes available for $8 from Parking Services. Bradley International Airport (BDL) is 50 minutes south. Boston Logan is about 2 hours east. Amtrak serves Northampton (15 min away). Peter Pan and Greyhound buses serve Amherst.
Location
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