Is UMass Amherst test optional?

We haven't confirmed UMass Amherst's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is UMass Amherst's acceptance rate?

60% of applicants were admitted in 2025–26, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 30,020 of 50,261 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 25%, from 40,130 in 2015 to 50,261 in 2024, and UMass Amherst's admit rate went from 58% to 60%.

What ACT score do you need for UMass Amherst?

3% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 30–34, with a median of 32. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1330–1480 works out to about 29–33.

What GPA do you need for UMass Amherst?

There's no published cutoff. First-year students averaged a 4.05 high school GPA, and 34% of those who reported a class rank were in their top 10%, per the Common Data Set 2025–26. Colleges compute GPA differently, so compare it loosely.

How many students get off the waitlist at UMass Amherst?

2,349 of the 7,261 students who stayed on the waitlist were admitted, or 32%, per the Common Data Set 2025–26.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for UMass Amherst? (Middle 50%: 1330–1480)

First-year students at UMass Amherst who sent an SAT scored 1330–1480, with a median of 1410 (Common Data Set 2025–26). UMass Amherst admits 60% of applicants.

University of Massachusetts-Amherst · Amherst, MA

Where your score lands at UMass Amherst

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1330–1480, median 1410

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier UMass Amherst is for you and whether to send your score.

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UMass Amherst by the numbers

Admit rate: 60%
Middle 50% SAT: 1330–1480
Median SAT: 1410
About on the ACT: 29–33
Sent an SAT: 25%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS

UMass Amherst admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 25%, from 40,130 in 2015 to 50,261 in 2024, and UMass Amherst's admit rate went from 58% to 60%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	50,261	30,020	60%
2023	50,424	29,129	58%
2022	45,451	28,871	64%
2021	42,540	27,877	66%
2020	40,315	26,335	65%
2019	42,157	26,895	64%
2018	41,690	24,981	60%
2017	42,043	24,208	58%
2016	40,822	24,364	60%
2015	40,130	23,403	58%

In fall 2024, 5,388 of the 30,020 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at UMass Amherst

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 1280Far reachHold
1280–1320ReachHold
1330–1400TargetHold
1410–1470TargetSend
1480 and upLikelySend

11501250135014501550

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

UMass Amherst SAT sections, ACT, GPA and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	660	710	760
SAT Reading and Writing	660	700	740
SAT total	1330	1410	1480
ACT composite	30	32	34

Of enrolled first-year students, 25% sent an SAT and 3% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.

Average high school GPA: 4.05; 99% of new students reported one
Top 10% of their class: 34%; of new students who reported a rank

UMass Amherst waitlist

Waitlist

11,100 applicants were offered a spot, 7,261 took it, and 2,349 were admitted from it.

32%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in

Common Data Set 2025–26.

UMass Amherst cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $22,383; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 83%
Median earnings: $71,631; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 27,561

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like UMass Amherst

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

Sources

UMass Amherst Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
UMass Amherst website
University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1330–1480, and the median was 1410. At 1410 or higher you're above half of them. UMass Amherst admits 60% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$