- Acceptance rate: 60% for fall 2024
- Average high school GPA: 4.05 (weighted), as reported by the college for 2025–26
- SAT, middle 50%: 650–730 reading and writing, 660–770 math
- ACT, middle 50%: 30–33 composite
- Average net price: $22,954 a year (2022–23)
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How does your GPA compare?
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Where you standEnter your GPA
Type your GPA to compare it with what University of Massachusetts Amherst reported: an average weighted GPA of 4.05 (2025–26), an acceptance rate of 60% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 30–33.
Weighted GPAs above 4.0 can't be compared directly. Many colleges recalculate on their own scale, so use your unweighted GPA here.
A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. University of Massachusetts Amherst reviews each application.
University of Massachusetts Amherst average GPA
University of Massachusetts Amherst reported an average high school GPA of 4.05 for its first-year students, in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. It's a weighted average, which adds points for honors, AP or IB classes, so it can be higher than 4.0.
An average, not a cutoffColleges calculate GPA in different ways, so this figure can't be compared directly with your own GPA.
University of Massachusetts Amherst acceptance rate
University of Massachusetts Amherst admitted 30,020 of 50,261 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 60%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public 4-year university in Amherst, Massachusetts, with 23,920 undergraduates.
SAT and ACT scores
Scores of the first-year students who entered University of Massachusetts Amherst in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:
| Test | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading and Writing | 650 | 700 | 730 |
| SAT Math | 660 | 720 | 770 |
| ACT Composite | 30 | 32 | 33 |
| ACT English | 29 | 33 | 35 |
| ACT Math | 27 | 29 | 33 |
The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1423 for admitted students.
Admission requirements
What University of Massachusetts Amherst looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:
| Admission factor | Status |
|---|---|
| High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average. | Required |
| High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned. | Required |
| College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school. | Required |
| RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors. | Required |
| Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application. | Required |
| Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations. | Required |
| High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class. | Considered if submitted |
| Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores. | Considered if submitted |
| Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work. | Considered if submitted |
| Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III. | Not considered |
| Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college. | Not considered |
AP credit
University of Massachusetts Amherst awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.
It also awards credit for life experience, such as work or military service.
Average net price
First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $22,954 a year at University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Can a 3.5 GPA get you into the University of Massachusetts Amherst?
It's below the average there. University of Massachusetts Amherst's first-year students averaged a weighted GPA of 4.05, as reported by the college for 2025–26, so on the same weighted scale a 3.5 is below that average at a college that admitted 60% of applicants for fall 2024. An average isn't a cutoff: your courses, test scores and the rest of your application count too.
How important is GPA for getting into the University of Massachusetts Amherst?
A lot: University of Massachusetts Amherst requires high school GPA, high school record, college preparatory program, recommendations, essay or personal statement and demonstration of competencies. It considers high school class rank, test scores and work experience if you send them. It doesn't consider other tests and legacy status. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
Does the University of Massachusetts Amherst require the SAT or ACT?
Check University of Massachusetts Amherst's admissions website for the current rule: testing policies change from year to year. University of Massachusetts Amherst was test optional: it considered SAT or ACT scores if you sent them, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education (fall 2024). Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 22% sent SAT scores and 3% sent ACT scores.
What SAT and ACT scores do the University of Massachusetts Amherst students have?
The middle 50% of University of Massachusetts Amherst's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 650–730 in reading and writing and 660–770 in math; ACT composite 30–33, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.
How selective is the University of Massachusetts Amherst?
Moderately selective: more than half of applicants got in. University of Massachusetts Amherst admitted 60% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.
What is the University of Massachusetts Amherst's acceptance rate?
University of Massachusetts Amherst's acceptance rate was 60% for fall 2024: it admitted 30,020 of 50,261 first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
What GPA do you need to get into the University of Massachusetts Amherst?
University of Massachusetts Amherst doesn't set a minimum GPA we could verify. Its first-year students averaged 4.05 (weighted), as reported by the college in its 2025–26 Common Data Set.
Does the University of Massachusetts Amherst accept AP credit?
Yes. University of Massachusetts Amherst awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.
How much does the University of Massachusetts Amherst cost after financial aid?
First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $22,954 a year at University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Does the University of Massachusetts Amherst look at legacy status?
No. University of Massachusetts Amherst doesn't consider whether a parent or other relative attended, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
Before you apply, check the University of Massachusetts Amherst's official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.
Sources
- College Navigator: University of Massachusetts-AmherstU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
- University of Massachusetts Amherst Common Data Set 2025–26University of Massachusetts Amherst: average high school GPA of first-year students.
- College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).
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