University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass) vs University of Connecticut (UConn)

Nestled in the heart of New England, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and the University of Connecticut stand as two prominent beacons of higher education. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence and offer a diverse range of programs, they also possess distinct characteristics that cater to different student aspirations. UMass-Amherst boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. UConn, on the other hand, enjoys a slightly higher graduation rate, indicating its dedication to student success. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including popular majors, student body demographics, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	University of Connecticut	University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Overview
Location	Storrs, Connecticut	Amherst, Massachusetts
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	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	92.0%	91.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	55.6%	65.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $85
SAT range	1230 - 1430	1250 - 1460
ACT range	27 - 33	28 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	43.0%	26.0%
Students submitting ACT score	7.0%	5.0%
Total number of applicants	36,753	42,540
Total number of admissions given out	20,433	27,877
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,663	4,872
Yield rate	17.9%	17.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	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: $37,266 Out of state: $59,934	In state: $32,434 Out of state: $52,959
Average net price	$22,168	$17,291
Tuition	In state: $15,030 Out of state: $37,698	In state: $15,791 Out of state: $36,316
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,238 Meal plan: $6,020	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)	76.0% Average amount $15,801	86.0% Average amount $10,662
Students receiving federal student loan	35.0% Average amount $5,247	39.0% Average amount $5,123
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $21,780	7.0% Average amount $15,924

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	18,567 Men 47.6% Women 52.4%	24,231 Men 48.8% Women 51.2%
Graduate students	8,309 Men 45.1% Women 54.9%	7,814 Men 47.9% Women 52.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	35.3%	N/A
International students	12.3%	11.1%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	10,792	13,582
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Connecticut Mississippi New York New Jersey New Hampshire	New York New Jersey Connecticut California New Hampshire

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Engineering Education Mathematics and Statistics	Business Engineering Health Professions Multidisciplinary Studies Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	83.1%	83.7%
Dropout rate	6.7%	5.1%
Transferred out	9.5%	10.5%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $80,915 Year 2: $95,473 Year 3: $146,595 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $102,306 Year 2: $106,249 Year 3: $123,588 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $85,391 Year 2: $115,339 Year 3: $122,969 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,347 Year 2: $105,392 Year 3: $111,865 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $93,087 Year 2: $89,859 Year 3: $106,919 Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,556 Year 2: $89,144 Year 3: $95,923 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,033 Year 2: $79,473 Year 3: $92,299 Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,037 Year 2: $77,715 Year 3: $89,989 Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $78,073 Year 2: $86,621 Year 3: $88,550 Psychology, General (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $59,124 Year 3: $87,936	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 UMass Amherst and UConn?

UMass Amherst is a large, public research university known for its strong programs in engineering, computer science, and business, and its vibrant campus life. UConn, also a large public research university, excels in areas like pharmacy, agriculture, and sports, particularly basketball. UMass is located in a more rural setting, while UConn offers a slightly more suburban feel. Both are flagship universities in their respective states, but UMass Amherst generally has a larger undergraduate population.
Which university is more selective: UMass Amherst or UConn?

Generally, UMass Amherst is considered slightly more selective than UConn. While both universities are competitive, UMass Amherst typically has a lower acceptance rate and higher average SAT/ACT scores for admitted students. However, admission standards can vary by program, so it's best to check the specific requirements for your intended major at each university.
How do the costs of attending UMass Amherst and UConn compare?

As public universities, both UMass Amherst and UConn offer lower tuition rates for in-state residents. Out-of-state tuition is significantly higher at both institutions. Generally, the cost of attendance (including tuition, fees, room, and board) is comparable between the two, but it's crucial to check the most up-to-date figures on each university's website, as costs can change annually. Also, consider the availability of financial aid and scholarships, which can significantly impact the net cost of attendance.
Which university has a stronger focus on research?

Both UMass Amherst and UConn are designated as R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity, indicating a strong commitment to research. However, UMass Amherst often receives more research funding overall and has a slightly larger research enterprise. Both offer numerous research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students across various disciplines.
How do the campus environments differ between UMass Amherst and UConn?

UMass Amherst has a more pronounced college-town atmosphere, situated in the Five College area, which includes Amherst College, Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, and Hampshire College. This creates a diverse and intellectually stimulating environment. UConn's main campus in Storrs offers a more traditional, self-contained campus experience. While Storrs is a smaller town, UConn provides a strong sense of community and school spirit, particularly around its athletic programs.
What are the strengths of UMass Amherst's academic programs?

UMass Amherst is particularly well-regarded for its programs in engineering (especially computer engineering and electrical engineering), computer science, business (Isenberg School of Management), and natural sciences. It also has strong programs in social sciences, education, and public health. The university's large size allows for a wide range of academic offerings and specializations.
What are the strengths of UConn's academic programs?

UConn is known for its strong programs in pharmacy, agriculture, allied health sciences, business (particularly actuarial science and finance), and engineering. The university also has excellent programs in the humanities, social sciences, and education. UConn's Neag School of Education is nationally recognized.
How do the athletic programs compare between UMass Amherst and UConn?

UConn is renowned for its athletic programs, particularly its men's and women's basketball teams, which have won multiple national championships. UConn competes in the Big East Conference. UMass Amherst competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference for most sports and the Hockey East Association for men's ice hockey. While UMass Amherst has a strong athletic tradition, UConn's athletic programs generally receive more national attention and have a higher profile.
What types of student activities and clubs are available at each university?

Both UMass Amherst and UConn offer a wide array of student activities and clubs, catering to diverse interests. You'll find everything from academic clubs and cultural organizations to sports clubs, performing arts groups, and volunteer opportunities. UMass Amherst, due to its larger size and proximity to other colleges, may offer a slightly wider range of options. However, UConn provides ample opportunities for students to get involved and build community.
Which university is better for students interested in a specific major?

The 'better' university depends entirely on your specific major and academic interests. Research the faculty, curriculum, research opportunities, and career outcomes for your intended major at both UMass Amherst and UConn. Consider which university has a stronger reputation and more resources in your field of study. Visiting both campuses and speaking with current students and faculty can also provide valuable insights.

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