The University Today

One of today’s leading centers of public higher education in the Northeast, the University of Massachusetts Amherst has achieved a growing reputation for excellence in an increasing number of disciplines, for the breadth of its academic offerings, and for the expansion of its historic roles in education, research, and public service. External funding for the University comes from a variety of sources, including the state, the federal government, private industry, and private individuals and foundations.

Within its ten schools and colleges, the University offers bachelor’s degrees in 90 areas, associate’s degrees in six, master’s degrees in 68, and the doctorate in 50. The overwhelming majority of the 956 full-time faculty hold the highest degree in their fields. There are approximately 23,200 students, made up of nearly 18,000 undergraduates and 5,200 graduate students, including part-time, and 300 students at the Stockbridge School of Agriculture.

Located in the historic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, the 1,450-acre campus provides a rich cultural environment in a rural setting.

The University is one of the founding members of the Five College consortium, offering reciprocal student access among the University and Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith colleges.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is the flagship campus of the Commonwealth’s university system. The three other undergraduate campuses are located in Boston, Dartmouth, and Lowell. The University system’s Worcester campus includes a medical school and affiliated teaching hospital.

As part of the five-campus system, the University of Massachusetts Amherst complements its activities with outreach education, research, and service programs at sites throughout the Commonwealth, ranging from the Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Center in East Wareham to the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield to the Small Business Development Center in Springfield.

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