University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass) vs NC State

When it comes to choosing the right university, it's essential to compare institutions to find the best fit. University of Massachusetts-Amherst and North Carolina State University at Raleigh are two excellent options with distinct characteristics. UMass-Amherst boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it more accessible to a broader range of students. In contrast, NC State offers a more diverse student body, with a higher percentage of international students. Both universities excel in different areas of study; UMass-Amherst is renowned for its strong programs in social sciences and psychology, while NC State shines in engineering and agriculture. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including graduation rates, tuition fees, and campus life, to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	North Carolina State University at Raleigh	University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Overview
Location	Raleigh, North Carolina	Amherst, Massachusetts
Campus setting	City: 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	94.0%	91.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	47.5%	65.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $85
SAT range	1270 - 1440	1250 - 1460
ACT range	27 - 32	28 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	21.0%	26.0%
Students submitting ACT score	34.0%	5.0%
Total number of applicants	32,998	42,540
Total number of admissions given out	15,669	27,877
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,046	4,872
Yield rate	32.2%	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: $24,986 Out of state: $45,771	In state: $32,434 Out of state: $52,959
Average net price	$14,328	$17,291
Tuition	In state: $6,535 Out of state: $27,320	In state: $15,791 Out of state: $36,316
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,768 Meal plan: $4,833	Room/dormitory: $7,611 Meal plan: $5,984
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	62.0% Average amount $9,318	86.0% Average amount $10,662
Students receiving federal student loan	40.0% Average amount $5,022	39.0% Average amount $5,123
Students taking out private loans	6.0% Average amount $14,600	7.0% Average amount $15,924

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	26,505 Men 50.9% Women 49.1%	24,231 Men 48.8% Women 51.2%
Graduate students	10,326 Men 49.8% Women 50.2%	7,814 Men 47.9% Women 52.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	12.9%	N/A
International students	9.5%	11.1%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	10,024	13,582
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	North Carolina Virginia New York New Jersey Maryland	New York New Jersey Connecticut California New Hampshire

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Agriculture Computer and Information Science	Business Engineering Health Professions Multidisciplinary Studies Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	84.4%	83.7%
Dropout rate	5.0%	5.1%
Transferred out	9.6%	10.5%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer Software and Media Applications (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,745 Year 2: $103,078 Year 3: $122,470 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $94,886 Year 2: $97,071 Year 3: $113,307 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,892 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $92,582 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,869 Year 2: $74,200 Year 3: $88,476 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $73,974 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $88,260 Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,860 Year 2: $81,702 Year 3: $86,459 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,857 Year 2: $70,710 Year 3: $83,417 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,627 Year 2: $70,057 Year 3: $83,342 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,222 Year 2: $69,757 Year 3: $81,552 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,081 Year 2: $70,253 Year 3: $80,463	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 NC State?

UMass Amherst is a public research university located in a traditional New England college town, known for its strong liberal arts programs and a vibrant campus life. NC State, on the other hand, is a public land-grant university situated in the capital city of Raleigh, North Carolina, with a strong emphasis on STEM fields, particularly engineering, agriculture, and technology. UMass Amherst experiences colder, snowier winters, while NC State enjoys a milder, more temperate climate.
Which university is better for STEM fields?

Both universities offer excellent STEM programs, but NC State is generally considered to have a stronger reputation and broader range of offerings in engineering, computer science, and agricultural sciences. UMass Amherst also has strong STEM programs, particularly in computer science, engineering, and natural sciences, but NC State's focus and resources in these areas are often cited as advantages.
How do the campus environments compare?

UMass Amherst offers a classic college town experience with a large, self-contained campus and a strong sense of community. The surrounding town of Amherst is geared towards student life. NC State's campus is integrated into the city of Raleigh, providing students with access to urban amenities, professional opportunities, and a more diverse environment. Raleigh offers a wider range of cultural and entertainment options compared to Amherst.
What are the differences in cost of attendance?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency status. Generally, UMass Amherst is more expensive for out-of-state students compared to NC State. However, for in-state students, UMass Amherst may be more affordable. It's crucial to check the latest tuition and fees on each university's website and factor in living expenses, which can vary depending on lifestyle and location.
Which university has a stronger focus on research?

Both UMass Amherst and NC State are R1 research universities with significant research activity. NC State has a particularly strong emphasis on applied research and partnerships with industry, especially in areas like engineering and agriculture. UMass Amherst also has robust research programs across various disciplines, including climate science, polymer science, and social sciences.
How do the student bodies differ?

UMass Amherst tends to draw a larger proportion of students from the Northeast, particularly Massachusetts and surrounding states. NC State attracts a significant number of students from North Carolina and the Southeast region. Both universities have diverse student populations, but the regional origins may differ.
What are the strengths of UMass Amherst?

UMass Amherst excels in areas like computer science, polymer science, linguistics, and social sciences. It also boasts a strong Isenberg School of Management. The university is known for its commitment to sustainability and its vibrant campus culture.
What are the strengths of NC State?

NC State is renowned for its engineering, agriculture, textiles, and design programs. It has strong ties to the Research Triangle Park, providing students with valuable internship and career opportunities. The university is also known for its entrepreneurial spirit and focus on innovation.
How do the career opportunities differ after graduation?

Graduates from UMass Amherst often find opportunities in the Northeast, particularly in Boston and New York City, in industries like technology, finance, and healthcare. NC State graduates have strong career prospects in the Southeast, especially in the Research Triangle Park area, in fields like technology, engineering, and biotechnology. Both universities have strong career services to assist students with job placement.
Which university is better for students interested in a specific major?

The 'better' university depends entirely on the specific major. For example, if you're interested in textile engineering, NC State is a clear leader. If you're interested in polymer science, UMass Amherst is a strong contender. Research the specific departments and faculty within each university to determine which aligns best with your academic interests and career goals.
What is the social scene like at each university?

UMass Amherst has a traditional college town social scene, with a focus on campus events, student organizations, and local bars and restaurants. NC State offers a more diverse social scene, with access to the amenities of a larger city like Raleigh, including concerts, museums, and a wider range of dining and entertainment options. Both universities have active Greek life and numerous clubs and organizations.
How do the athletic programs compare?

Both UMass Amherst and NC State are Division I schools with competitive athletic programs. NC State competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), a Power Five conference, while UMass Amherst competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference for most sports, and as an independent in football (FBS). NC State generally has a higher profile in major sports like football and basketball due to its conference affiliation.

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