Out of State, but Not Out of Reach
As a prospective out-of-state student at UMass Amherst, you’ve probably got some very specific concerns. (If you’re the parent of a prospective out-of-stater, we know those concerns are magnified exponentially).
To begin with, you won’t be the only new student who has crossed state lines to get to UMass Amherst. About 20% of our undergraduates come from states other than Massachusetts (and that doesn’t include international students). We’ve got students from all of the fifty states—the greatest amount coming from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, California, Rhode Island, Maine, Illinois, and Colorado.
There are many reasons to come to UMass Amherst if you’re not from New England. You’ll have the opportunity to experience four seasons in one of the most beautiful areas you’ll ever see, with rolling hills, lush farmlands, rivers, and forests. You’ll be surrounded by the landmarks of American history and many of its cultural treasures. You’ll have easy access to Boston, New York, and Montreal, as well as mountains and ocean beaches. While thousands plan their vacations in New England, it will become your backyard. For more on the advantages of living in Amherst, go to Campus and Community.
Staying on Campus
All first and second year students must live on the UMass Amherst campus, so your residence hall mates will be from all over the United States and the world. With so many students living on campus, our active campus life keeps going all weekend long, with events, entertainment, sports and recreation—and plenty of quiet spots for studying.
Getting Here and Going Home
UMass Amherst is a surprisingly accessible place, right in the middle of everything. Interstate 91 runs right by us along a north-south axis, and connects with the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90), an east-west superhighway just 15 miles away. Boston is 90 miles to the east, Hartford 50 miles to the south, and New York City 175 miles to the southwest. All three cities provide major airports: Logan International in Boston, Bradley International near Hartford, and La Guardia, JKF, and Newark airports in greater New York.
There are numerous ways to get here and to get back home again. For details, head to the transportation page on the UMass Amherst site.
Parents
To help bridge the distance between home and university life, UMass Amherst has established an Office of Parent Services. They will be able to answer questions and direct you to other resources, and they’ll help everyone stay connected to life on campus through electronic newsletters and links to on-line resources.
Out of State Students and Tuition
How does UMass Amherst determine in-state residency for tuition classification?
In general, if you are a dependent student and at least one parent or guardian has resided in Massachusetts for one year or longer, then you will qualify for in-state tuition. However, if you are a dependent student and at least one parent or guardian has not resided in Massachusetts for one year or longer, then you will not qualify for in-state tuition. Vacation homes may not be used to qualify for Massachusetts residency. More detailed residency information is included with the application for admission, or you may call the Undergraduate Admissions Office at 413-545-0222.
New England Regional
Student Program (NERSP)
If you are a legal resident of Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont, and the major you want at UMass Amherst is not available at your state’s public colleges, you may qualify for a reduced tuition rate. Go to NERSP for more details.
