IU-Bloomington vs University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass)

Indiana University-Bloomington and University of Massachusetts-Amherst, both esteemed public research universities, offer distinct educational experiences. Indiana University, with a lower acceptance rate, boasts a larger student body and a wider range of undergraduate programs, including a highly regarded business school. UMass-Amherst, on the other hand, offers a more diverse student body and a higher graduation rate. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two institutions, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the table to discover which university better aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Indiana University-Bloomington	University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Overview
Location	Bloomington, Indiana	Amherst, Massachusetts
Campus setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	90.0%	91.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	85.0%	65.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $70	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $85
SAT range	1160 - 1380	1250 - 1460
ACT range	26 - 32	28 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	39.0%	26.0%
Students submitting ACT score	23.0%	5.0%
Total number of applicants	46,498	42,540
Total number of admissions given out	39,543	27,877
Admitted students who chose to enroll	9,482	4,872
Yield rate	24.0%	17.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $27,299 Out of state: $54,318	In state: $32,434 Out of state: $52,959
Average net price	$13,386	$17,291
Tuition	In state: $9,913 Out of state: $36,932	In state: $15,791 Out of state: $36,316
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,798 Meal plan: $4,300	Room/dormitory: $7,611 Meal plan: $5,984
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	67.0% Average amount $11,608	86.0% Average amount $10,662
Students receiving federal student loan	30.0% Average amount $5,040	39.0% Average amount $5,123
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $19,336	7.0% Average amount $15,924

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	34,253 Men 50.1% Women 49.9%	24,231 Men 48.8% Women 51.2%
Graduate students	11,075 Men 53.1% Women 46.9%	7,814 Men 47.9% Women 52.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	43.6%	N/A
International students	10.4%	11.1%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	13,484	13,582
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Indiana Illinois New Jersey California New York	New York New Jersey Connecticut California New Hampshire

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Public Administration and Social Service Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Computer and Information Science Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Business Engineering Health Professions Multidisciplinary Studies Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	80.8%	83.7%
Dropout rate	7.9%	5.1%
Transferred out	10.2%	10.5%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $111,595 Year 2: $114,366 Year 3: $123,644 Optometry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $95,538 Year 2: $108,370 Year 3: $115,751 Human Computer Interaction (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,640 Year 2: $80,355 Year 3: $97,668 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $101,331 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $88,260 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,263 Year 2: $70,596 Year 3: $82,012 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $73,288 Year 2: $67,869 Year 3: $81,338 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $79,011 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $79,545 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,371 Year 2: $65,832 Year 3: $78,226 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $66,745 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $75,109 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $73,446 Year 3: $74,650	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $112,236 Year 2: $99,741 Year 3: $118,959 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $97,497 Year 2: $97,071 Year 3: $105,578 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $79,216 Year 2: $78,232 Year 3: $95,030 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,683 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $94,055 Education, General (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $71,391 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $79,970 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,906 Year 2: $67,202 Year 3: $79,007 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,222 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $76,636 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,607 Year 2: $68,647 Year 3: $74,913 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,719 Year 2: $65,594 Year 3: $74,578 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,571 Year 2: $63,646 Year 3: $73,746

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Indiana University Bloomington (IU) and the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass)?

IU is a large, public university located in Bloomington, Indiana, known for its strong programs in music, business, and journalism. UMass Amherst is also a large, public university, but it's located in Amherst, Massachusetts, and is recognized for its programs in computer science, engineering, and social sciences. IU has a more Midwestern feel, while UMass Amherst has a more Northeastern, progressive atmosphere. Cost of living and tuition can also differ significantly between the two locations.
Which university is better for students interested in music?

Indiana University Bloomington is generally considered to have a stronger and more prestigious music program, particularly through its Jacobs School of Music. It offers a wider range of musical disciplines and performance opportunities. While UMass Amherst has a good music program, IU's is typically ranked higher nationally and internationally.
How do the business schools at IU and UMass Amherst compare?

IU's Kelley School of Business is highly ranked and well-regarded, especially for its undergraduate programs. UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Management is also a strong business school, particularly known for its sports management and hospitality programs. Kelley is often considered more prestigious overall, but Isenberg offers excellent value and strong regional connections in the Northeast.
Which university is stronger in computer science?

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is generally considered stronger in computer science than Indiana University Bloomington. UMass Amherst has a highly ranked computer science program with significant research activity and faculty expertise. While IU has a growing computer science department, UMass Amherst has a longer-established and more prominent reputation in the field.
What is the campus environment like at IU versus UMass Amherst?

IU has a classic, traditional college town feel with a large, sprawling campus and a strong sense of school spirit. Bloomington is a relatively quiet and safe town. UMass Amherst has a more vibrant and politically active campus environment, located in a lively college town with a strong emphasis on social justice and environmental awareness. Amherst is part of the Five College Consortium, offering students access to courses and resources at four other nearby institutions.
How do the costs of attending IU and UMass Amherst compare?

Generally, Indiana University Bloomington is less expensive for out-of-state students than the University of Massachusetts Amherst. However, in-state tuition at UMass Amherst is significantly lower for Massachusetts residents. You should carefully compare the tuition, fees, room and board, and other expenses for both universities based on your residency status and financial aid eligibility. Don't forget to factor in the cost of living in Bloomington, Indiana, versus Amherst, Massachusetts.
What are the research opportunities like at each university?

Both IU and UMass Amherst are research universities with ample opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to get involved in research. UMass Amherst has particularly strong research programs in areas like computer science, engineering, and climate science. IU has strong research programs in areas like music, social sciences, and medicine. The best way to find research opportunities is to explore the faculty profiles and research labs within your specific area of interest at each university.
How does the student body diversity compare between IU and UMass Amherst?

Both universities strive for diversity, but there are differences. UMass Amherst tends to have a higher percentage of students from the Northeast region, while IU draws students from a wider range of states and international locations, particularly from the Midwest. Both universities have active diversity and inclusion initiatives and student organizations that support students from various backgrounds. Reviewing the official diversity statistics on each university's website will provide the most up-to-date information.
What are the career services like at IU and UMass Amherst?

Both IU and UMass Amherst offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, internship assistance, and job fairs. IU's Kelley School of Business has its own dedicated career services center that is highly regarded. UMass Amherst's career services are well-connected with employers in the Northeast region. The effectiveness of career services often depends on the student's proactive engagement and utilization of the available resources.
Which university is better for students interested in journalism?

Indiana University Bloomington has a strong reputation for its journalism program, particularly within its Media School. It offers a variety of specializations and hands-on learning opportunities. While UMass Amherst has a good communication program, IU's journalism program is generally considered more established and well-known nationally.

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