Choosing the right university is an important decision that can impact your future. In this article, we will compare two well-known schools: UMass Amherst and Virginia Tech. We will provide an overview of each school, including costs and tuition, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, student life, campus, alumni, rankings, and outcomes.
UMass Amherst Overview
The University of Massachusetts Amherst, commonly known as UMass Amherst, is a public research university located in Amherst, Massachusetts. With over 30,000 students, it is the largest public university in New England. UMass Amherst offers a wide range of academic programs, including more than 100 undergraduate and 75 graduate programs.
UMass Amherst Costs & Tuition
Tuition and fees at UMass Amherst vary depending on whether you are an in-state or out-of-state student. For the 2021-2022 academic year, tuition and fees for in-state students are approximately $16,000, while out-of-state students can expect to pay around $36,000. Room and board costs are estimated at $13,000 per year.
UMass Amherst Admissions
Admissions at UMass Amherst are considered moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of approximately 60%. The middle 50% of admitted students have SAT scores between 1200 and 1390, and ACT scores between 26 and 32. In addition to test scores, UMass Amherst considers factors such as high school GPA, extracurricular activities, and personal statements.
UMass Amherst Degrees Offered
UMass Amherst offers a wide range of academic programs, including more than 100 undergraduate and 75 graduate programs. Some of the most popular majors include business, engineering, social sciences, and biological sciences.
UMass Amherst Academics
UMass Amherst is known for its strong academic programs and research opportunities. The university has a student-faculty ratio of 17:1, allowing for small class sizes and individualized attention from professors. UMass Amherst also offers a range of study abroad programs, internships, and research opportunities for students to gain practical experience in their fields of study.
UMass Amherst Diversity
UMass Amherst prides itself on its diverse student body, which includes students from all 50 states and over 70 countries. The university is committed to promoting an inclusive campus environment and offers a wide range of resources and support services for students from diverse backgrounds.
UMass Amherst Students
UMass Amherst has a total enrollment of over 30,000 students, including approximately 24,000 undergraduate and 6,000 graduate students. The university has a vibrant campus life, with over 300 student organizations, a strong athletic program, and numerous opportunities for students to get involved in community service and leadership activities.
UMass Amherst Campus
UMass Amherst’s campus spans over 1,400 acres and features a mix of traditional and modern architecture, as well as an abundance of green spaces and recreational facilities. The campus is located in the scenic Pioneer Valley, providing students with a beautiful and inspiring environment in which to learn and grow.
UMass Amherst Alumni
UMass Amherst has a strong network of over 250,000 alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include astronaut Catherine Coleman, former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ellen Goodman.
UMass Amherst Rankings
UMass Amherst is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, UMass Amherst was ranked #26 among public universities and #66 overall among national universities.
UMass Amherst Outcomes
UMass Amherst boasts a strong record of student success, with a six-year graduation rate of approximately 80%. According to the university, the average starting salary for recent UMass Amherst graduates is $50,000.
Virginia Tech Overview
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, commonly known as Virginia Tech, is a public research university located in Blacksburg, Virginia. Established in 1872, the university has a strong emphasis on research and engineering programs. With over 36,000 students, Virginia Tech offers more than 110 undergraduate and 170 graduate programs.
Virginia Tech Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, tuition and fees for in-state students at Virginia Tech are approximately $14,000, while out-of-state students can expect to pay around $33,000. Room and board costs are estimated at $9,000 per year.
Virginia Tech Admissions
Admissions at Virginia Tech are considered moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 70%. The middle 50% of admitted students have SAT scores between 1180 and 1390, and ACT scores between 25 and 31. Similar to UMass Amherst, Virginia Tech considers factors such as high school GPA, extracurricular activities, and personal statements in addition to test scores.
Virginia Tech Degrees Offered
Virginia Tech offers a wide range of academic programs, with more than 110 undergraduate and 170 graduate programs available. Some of the most popular majors include engineering, business, social sciences, and agriculture.
Virginia Tech Academics
Virginia Tech is known for its strong academic programs, particularly in engineering, and offers a student-faculty ratio of 14:1. The university provides numerous research and experiential learning opportunities for students across various disciplines. Additionally, Virginia Tech offers study abroad programs and internships for students to gain practical experience in their fields of study.
Virginia Tech Diversity
Virginia Tech is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive campus environment. The university offers numerous resources and support services to assist students from diverse backgrounds.
Virginia Tech Students
Virginia Tech has a total enrollment of over 36,000 students, including approximately 29,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. Campus life at Virginia Tech is active, with over 800 student organizations, a strong athletic program, and a wide range of community service and leadership opportunities available.
Virginia Tech Campus
Virginia Tech’s campus is located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, providing students with a picturesque environment in which to learn and grow. The 2,600-acre campus features a mix of traditional and modern architecture, as well as numerous recreational facilities and green spaces for students to enjoy.
Virginia Tech Alumni
Virginia Tech has a strong alumni network of more than 250,000 individuals worldwide. Notable alumni include former NASA astronaut Charles Camarda, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and Hoda Kotb, co-anchor of NBC’s “Today” show.
Virginia Tech Rankings
In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Virginia Tech was ranked #29 among public universities and #74 overall among national universities.
Virginia Tech Outcomes
Virginia Tech has a six-year graduation rate of approximately 85%. According to the university, the average starting salary for recent Virginia Tech graduates is $55,000.
UMass Amherst vs Virginia Tech Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attending UMass Amherst and Virginia Tech, there are some key differences to consider. In-state tuition and fees at UMass Amherst are higher than at Virginia Tech, at approximately $16,000 and $14,000, respectively. However, out-of-state tuition and fees are slightly more expensive at UMass Amherst, at around $36,000, compared to $33,000 at Virginia Tech. Additionally, room and board costs are higher at UMass Amherst, at about $13,000 per year, compared to $9,000 at Virginia Tech.
UMass Amherst vs Virginia Tech Admissions Difficulty
Both UMass Amherst and Virginia Tech have moderately competitive admissions, with acceptance rates of 60% and 70%, respectively. The middle 50% of admitted students at both schools have similar SAT and ACT score ranges, with slightly higher scores at UMass Amherst. Both schools consider a variety of factors in their admissions process, including high school GPA, extracurricular activities, and personal statements.
UMass Amherst vs Virginia Tech Academic Difficulty
UMass Amherst and Virginia Tech both offer strong academic programs and experiential learning opportunities for students. UMass Amherst has a slightly higher student-faculty ratio of 17:1, compared to 14:1 at Virginia Tech. However, both schools provide small class sizes and individualized attention from professors.
UMass Amherst vs Virginia Tech Outcome Comparison
Both UMass Amherst and Virginia Tech have strong records of student success, with six-year graduation rates of 80% and 85%, respectively. The average starting salary for recent graduates is higher at Virginia Tech, at $55,000, compared to $50,000 at UMass Amherst. Overall, both schools offer excellent educational opportunities and outcomes for their students.
