Choosing the right college is an important decision that can impact your future career and personal growth. Two prominent options for students seeking an education in the Northeastern United States are the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) and the University of Connecticut (UConn). In this article, we will provide an in-depth comparison of both schools, covering various aspects such as cost, admissions, academics, diversity, and outcomes. This information will help prospective students make an informed decision about their higher education choices.
UMass Amherst Overview
The University of Massachusetts Amherst, established in 1863, is the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system. Located in the college town of Amherst, Massachusetts, UMass Amherst is a large public research university, with over 30,000 students enrolled in its undergraduate and graduate programs. The university offers a wide range of academic disciplines, with more than 110 undergraduate majors and 75 graduate programs.
UMass Amherst Costs & Tuition
Tuition and fees at UMass Amherst vary based on factors such as in-state or out-of-state residency, and the specific program of study. For the 2021-2022 academic year, in-state undergraduate students can expect to pay around $16,439, while out-of-state students will be charged approximately $36,570. Room and board expenses are estimated to be around $13,000 per year. Financial aid is available for eligible students in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs.
UMass Amherst Admissions
Admission to UMass Amherst is moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 64% for the Fall 2020 semester. Prospective students are expected to have a strong academic background, including a competitive high school GPA, a rigorous course load, and solid standardized test scores. The middle 50% SAT score range of accepted students is between 1190 and 1390, while the middle 50% ACT score range is 25 to 31. Extracurricular activities, leadership experience, and personal essays are also important factors in the admissions process.
UMass Amherst Degrees Offered
UMass Amherst offers a diverse array of degree programs across its various schools and colleges. Some of the most popular undergraduate majors include Business, Management, Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, and Biological Sciences. Graduate programs are offered in fields such as Education, Public Health, Computer Science, and Engineering.
UMass Amherst Academics
The university boasts a strong faculty, with over 1,400 full-time instructional staff members, and a student-faculty ratio of 17:1. UMass Amherst is well-known for its research initiatives, with annual research expenditures exceeding $200 million. The school has several highly ranked programs, including its School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Isenberg School of Management, and College of Engineering.
UMass Amherst Diversity
UMass Amherst is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive campus environment. The student body consists of individuals from all 50 states and over 70 countries. Approximately 29% of undergraduate students identify as African American, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American. The university has several offices, programs, and initiatives in place to support diversity and inclusion, including the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success.
UMass Amherst Students
With a total enrollment of over 30,000 students, UMass Amherst has a vibrant and diverse student community. The campus offers numerous clubs, organizations, and activities for students to engage in outside of the classroom, including Greek life, intramural sports, and arts and cultural events. The university is also home to a successful athletics program, with its teams competing in the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference.
UMass Amherst Campus
The UMass Amherst campus spans over 1,450 acres, featuring a mix of modern and historic architecture. The campus has state-of-the-art facilities, including a recreation center, multiple libraries, and research labs. There are also numerous dining options, on-campus housing, and recreational spaces for students to enjoy.
UMass Amherst Alumni
UMass Amherst has a strong alumni network, with over 250,000 graduates worldwide. Notable alumni include Pulitzer Prize-winning author Joseph J. Ellis, former NASA astronaut Catherine Coleman, and NBA head coach Rick Carlisle.
UMass Amherst Rankings
UMass Amherst is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. In the 2022 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings, the university is ranked #23 among Top Public Schools and #66 in National Universities.
UMass Amherst Outcomes
Graduates of UMass Amherst can expect strong post-graduation outcomes. The university reports a 91% success rate for recent graduates, including those who are employed, pursuing further education, or participating in service programs. According to Payscale, the average early career salary for UMass Amherst alumni is around $59,000, while the mid-career salary is approximately $102,000.
University of Connecticut Overview
The University of Connecticut, founded in 1881, is a public research university located in Storrs, Connecticut. With over 27,000 students enrolled in its undergraduate and graduate programs, UConn offers a diverse range of academic disciplines across its 14 schools and colleges. The university is recognized for its strong academics, research initiatives, and competitive athletics program.
University of Connecticut Costs & Tuition
Tuition and fees for the 2021-2022 academic year at UConn vary based on factors such as residency and program of study. In-state undergraduate students can expect to pay around $17,834, while out-of-state students will be charged approximately $40,502. Room and board expenses are estimated to be around $13,258 per year. Financial aid is available for eligible students through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs.
University of Connecticut Admissions
Admission to UConn is moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 56% for the Fall 2020 semester. Prospective students are expected to have a strong academic background, with a competitive high school GPA, a rigorous course load, and solid standardized test scores. The middle 50% SAT score range of accepted students is between 1210 and 1390, while the middle 50% ACT score range is 26 to 32. Extracurricular activities, leadership experience, and personal essays are also important factors in the admissions process.
University of Connecticut Degrees Offered
UConn offers a wide range of degree programs across its various schools and colleges. Some of the most popular undergraduate majors include Business, Management, Marketing, Engineering, Health Professions, and Social Sciences. Graduate programs are offered in fields such as Education, Business, Engineering, and Law.
University of Connecticut Academics
The university is known for its strong faculty, with over 1,600 full-time instructional staff members, and a student-faculty ratio of 16:1. UConn is also recognized for its research initiatives, with annual research expenditures exceeding $260 million. The school has several highly ranked programs, including its School of Business, School of Education, and School of Engineering.
University of Connecticut Diversity
UConn is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive campus environment. The student body consists of individuals from all 50 states and over 100 countries. Approximately 32% of undergraduate students identify as African American, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American. The university has several offices, programs, and initiatives in place to support diversity and inclusion, including the Office for Diversity and Inclusion, and the Cultural Centers.
University of Connecticut Students
With a total enrollment of over 27,000 students, UConn has a vibrant and diverse student community. The campus offers numerous clubs, organizations, and activities for students to engage in outside of the classroom, including Greek life, intramural sports, and arts and cultural events. The university is also home to a successful athletics program, with its teams competing in the NCAA Division I Big East Conference.
University of Connecticut Campus
The UConn campus spans over 4,100 acres, featuring a mix of modern and historic architecture. The campus has state-of-the-art facilities, including a recreation center, multiple libraries, and research labs. There are also numerous dining options, on-campus housing, and recreational spaces for students to enjoy.
University of Connecticut Alumni
UConn has a strong alumni network, with over 260,000 graduates worldwide. Notable alumni include former U.S. Senator Chris Dodd, ESPN analyst and former NFL player Merril Hoge, and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Lynsey Addario.
University of Connecticut Rankings
UConn is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. In the 2022 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings, the university is ranked #23 among Top Public Schools and #63 in National Universities.
University of Connecticut Outcomes
Graduates of UConn can expect strong post-graduation outcomes. The university reports a 92% success rate for recent graduates, including those who are employed, pursuing further education, or participating in service programs. According to Payscale, the average early career salary for UConn alumni is around $61,000, while the mid-career salary is approximately $105,000.
UMass Amherst vs University of Connecticut Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attending UMass Amherst and the University of Connecticut, several factors must be considered, such as residency and program of study. In-state undergraduate students at UMass Amherst can expect to pay around $16,439 per year, while those at UConn will pay approximately $17,834. Out-of-state students at UMass Amherst will be charged around $36,570 per year, compared to $40,502 at UConn. Room and board expenses are similar for both schools, with UMass Amherst costing around $13,000 per year and UConn costing approximately $13,258. Both institutions offer financial aid for eligible students.
UMass Amherst vs University of Connecticut Admissions Difficulty
Admissions at both UMass Amherst and the University of Connecticut are moderately competitive, with UMass Amherst having an acceptance rate of around 64% and UConn having an acceptance rate of approximately 56%. Both schools require strong academic backgrounds, competitive high school GPAs, rigorous course loads, and solid standardized test scores. The middle 50% SAT score range for both schools is similar, with UMass Amherst ranging between 1190 and 1390, and UConn ranging between 1210 and 1390. The middle 50% ACT score range is 25 to 31 for UMass Amherst and 26 to 32 for UConn. Extracurricular activities, leadership experience, and personal essays are also important factors in the admissions process at both institutions.
UMass Amherst vs University of Connecticut Academic Difficulty
Both UMass Amherst and the University of Connecticut offer rigorous academic programs across a diverse range of disciplines. The student-faculty ratios at both schools are similar, with UMass Amherst having a ratio of 17:1 and UConn having a ratio of 16:1. Both universities are known for their strong research initiatives and highly ranked programs. The difficulty of each school’s academic programs will vary based on the specific major or field of study.
UMass Amherst vs University of Connecticut Outcome Comparison
Graduates from both UMass Amherst and the University of Connecticut can expect strong post-graduation outcomes. UMass Amherst reports a 91% success rate for recent graduates, while UConn reports a 92% success rate. According to Payscale, the average early career salary for UMass Amherst alumni is around $59,000, compared to $61,000 for UConn alumni. Mid-career salaries are also similar, with UMass Amherst alumni earning around $102,000 and UConn alumni earning approximately $105,000.
