At $23,691/yr net price, University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduates earn $71,631/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $37,631/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,691 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $94,764 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $71,631/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$37,631/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 83.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,763 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,103/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,259/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,738/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,016/yr |
| $110,001+ | $31,297/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Master | $100,518 | $30,322 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $99,741 | $32,030 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $97,071 | $57,030 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $78,232 | $22,679 |
| Education, General. | Doctoral | $76,460 | |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $75,518 | $27,000 |
| Chemistry. | Doctoral | $69,338 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $27,000 |
| Industrial Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $26,111 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $68,647 | $25,000 |
The Risk Factor
83.2% of students at University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
UMass Amherst gives you a solid financial return. A median debt of $22,763 lands close to the median earnings after ten years, and both a 91% retention rate and an 83% graduation rate mean you are likely to finish and start earning on schedule. That combination is the core of why this school pays off.
The best money is in engineering and computing. Computer Science graduates clear $78,000 while carrying about the same debt load as the campus median, so the payoff per dollar borrowed is strong. Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Industrial Engineering all land near $69,000-$75,000, though they come with roughly $27,000 in debt, a few thousand more than average. Nursing sits near $68,000 and feeds directly into the Massachusetts and New England hospital market. If you enroll in one of these five programs, the numbers work clearly in your favor.
The risk is that the school's overall earnings figure is carried by these technical majors. UMass Amherst publishes no salary data for its humanities, arts, or social science programs, and there is no reason to assume they match engineering pay. If you pursue a lower-earning field here, you take on the same debt without the same salary to cover it.
Cost depends heavily on your family income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $11,100 a year. over $110,000, you pay about $31,300, nearly triple. For lower-income families the price is manageable against likely earnings. For families paying the top tier in a non-technical major, the math gets tight.
This school fits you well if you are aiming at engineering, computing, or nursing, especially if you plan to work in the Northeast. If your goal is a lower-paying field at the full sticker price, price out cheaper options first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Massachusetts-Amherst worth the cost?
UMass Amherst offers solid value with a net price of $23,691 and 10-year earnings of $71,631, making it a reasonable investment for most students. The relatively low median debt of $22,763 keeps financial risk manageable compared to many other universities.
What are the highest paying majors at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
Computer science and business administration lead with starting salaries around $100,000, while nursing graduates earn about $97,000. Education majors earn significantly less at $76,460, which may not justify the debt for some students.
How much student debt do University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduates have?
The median debt is $22,763, which is below the national average and manageable given the school's graduate earnings. Most graduates can expect reasonable monthly payments that won't overwhelm their starting salaries.
Does University of Massachusetts-Amherst provide good financial aid?
With a net price of $23,691 for the average student, UMass Amherst makes college affordable for many Massachusetts residents. The combination of state funding and institutional aid keeps costs well below many comparable public universities.