UMass Dartmouth vs University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass)

Nestled in the vibrant city of Dartmouth and the charming town of Amherst, the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth and University of Massachusetts-Amherst stand as two distinct academic powerhouses within the University of Massachusetts system. While sharing a common heritage, these institutions have carved unique identities, offering diverse opportunities to students. UMass-Dartmouth boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option, while UMass-Amherst's lower acceptance rate reflects its highly competitive admissions process. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further distinctions, including popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	University of Massachusetts-Amherst	University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
Overview
Location	Amherst, Massachusetts	North Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Midsize
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	91.0%	68.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	65.5%	92.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $85	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $60
SAT range	1250 - 1460	1030 - 1260
ACT range	28 - 33	19 - 26
Students submitting SAT score	26.0%	16.0%
Students submitting ACT score	5.0%	1.0%
Total number of applicants	42,540	7,983
Total number of admissions given out	27,877	7,362
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,872	1,265
Yield rate	17.5%	17.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $32,434 Out of state: $52,959	In state: $27,680 Out of state: $43,425
Average net price	$17,291	$21,708
Tuition	In state: $15,791 Out of state: $36,316	In state: $13,833 Out of state: $29,578
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,611 Meal plan: $5,984	Room/dormitory: $10,107 Meal plan: $5,778
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	86.0% Average amount $10,662	97.0% Average amount $8,261
Students receiving federal student loan	39.0% Average amount $5,123	56.0% Average amount $5,184
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $15,924	9.0% Average amount $10,919

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	24,231 Men 48.8% Women 51.2%	5,833 Men 48.0% Women 52.0%
Graduate students	7,814 Men 47.9% Women 52.1%	1,884 Men 46.4% Women 53.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	11.1%	4.1%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	13,582	4,016
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York New Jersey Connecticut California New Hampshire	Mississippi Rhode Island Connecticut New Hampshire New York

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

Outcome
Graduation rate	83.7%	54.1%
Dropout rate	5.1%	13.0%
Transferred out	10.5%	32.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	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	Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,125 Year 2: $63,997 Year 3: $78,340 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,755 Year 2: $68,858 Year 3: $77,609 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $66,332 Year 2: $68,666 Year 3: $77,144 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,468 Year 2: $62,260 Year 3: $73,667 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,422 Year 2: $64,258 Year 3: $68,475 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,458 Year 2: $49,937 Year 3: $63,316 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,909 Year 2: $57,619 Year 3: $62,093 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,847 Year 2: $42,235 Year 3: $57,975 Law (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $44,174 Year 2: $45,696 Year 3: $55,393 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,618 Year 2: $46,478 Year 3: $52,829

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between UMass Dartmouth and UMass Amherst?

UMass Dartmouth is a mid-sized public university known for its strong programs in engineering, nursing, and visual and performing arts, offering a more personalized learning environment. UMass Amherst, the flagship campus, is a large research university with a broader range of programs and a more extensive research focus. Amherst offers a wider array of resources and opportunities due to its size and status.
Which university is larger, UMass Dartmouth or UMass Amherst?

UMass Amherst is significantly larger than UMass Dartmouth. UMass Amherst has a much larger student body, faculty, and campus size, offering a more diverse and expansive university experience.
How do the academic programs compare between the two universities?

UMass Amherst offers a wider range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including doctoral programs in many fields. UMass Dartmouth has a more focused selection of programs, excelling in areas like engineering, nursing, business, and the arts. If you're looking for a highly specialized program, UMass Dartmouth might be a better fit, while UMass Amherst provides more breadth.
What is the campus environment like at UMass Dartmouth versus UMass Amherst?

UMass Dartmouth offers a more close-knit, community-focused environment due to its smaller size. UMass Amherst has a more vibrant and bustling campus life with a wider variety of clubs, organizations, and events. Amherst's campus is more traditionally collegiate, while Dartmouth's has a more modern architectural style.
How do the research opportunities compare?

UMass Amherst is a major research university with extensive research facilities and funding, offering numerous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in cutting-edge research. UMass Dartmouth also offers research opportunities, particularly in its areas of strength, but on a smaller scale.
What are the typical tuition and fees for UMass Dartmouth and UMass Amherst?

Tuition and fees can vary depending on residency and program. Generally, UMass Amherst tends to have slightly higher tuition and fees compared to UMass Dartmouth. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date and specific cost information.
How does the location of each university impact the student experience?

UMass Dartmouth is located in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts, offering a more suburban setting with proximity to the coast. UMass Amherst is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, a vibrant college town in the Pioneer Valley, offering a more traditional college town experience with access to cultural events and outdoor activities.
What are the strengths of UMass Dartmouth?

UMass Dartmouth excels in providing a personalized learning experience with strong programs in engineering, nursing, business, and visual and performing arts. It's known for its hands-on learning opportunities and close relationships between students and faculty.
What are the strengths of UMass Amherst?

UMass Amherst is a leading public research university with a wide range of highly ranked programs, extensive research opportunities, and a vibrant campus life. It offers a diverse and challenging academic environment with access to world-class faculty and resources.
Are there any specific programs that one university is particularly known for over the other?

UMass Dartmouth is particularly well-regarded for its nursing, engineering (especially marine engineering), and visual and performing arts programs. UMass Amherst is known for its programs in computer science, engineering, business, public health, and social sciences.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

Both universities offer career services and internship opportunities. UMass Amherst, due to its size and alumni network, generally has a broader range of internship and job opportunities available. UMass Dartmouth provides more personalized career counseling and support, particularly within its specialized programs.
What is the student-faculty ratio like at each university?

UMass Dartmouth generally has a lower student-faculty ratio than UMass Amherst, allowing for more individualized attention from professors. While UMass Amherst's ratio is higher, it still provides ample opportunities for students to connect with faculty through office hours, research projects, and smaller class settings.

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