University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass) vs Florida State

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Amherst, Massachusetts, and Tallahassee, Florida, home to the esteemed University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass) and Florida State University (FSU), respectively. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique locations, student demographics, and academic strengths. UMass, nestled in the heart of the Pioneer Valley, boasts a higher acceptance rate and a diverse student body, while FSU, situated in the vibrant capital city, attracts a larger population of out-of-state students and offers a wider range of undergraduate majors. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into the details of these two exceptional institutions, considering factors such as acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	Florida State University	University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Overview
Location	Tallahassee, Florida	Amherst, Massachusetts
Campus setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Large
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	94.0%	91.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	37.1%	65.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $30	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $85
SAT range	1180 - 1340	1250 - 1460
ACT range	26 - 30	28 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	65.0%	26.0%
Students submitting ACT score	36.0%	5.0%
Total number of applicants	65,235	42,540
Total number of admissions given out	24,183	27,877
Admitted students who chose to enroll	7,619	4,872
Yield rate	31.5%	17.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $23,476 Out of state: $36,606	In state: $32,434 Out of state: $52,959
Average net price	$12,684	$17,291
Tuition	In state: $4,022 Out of state: $16,540	In state: $15,791 Out of state: $36,316
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,020 Meal plan: $4,856	Room/dormitory: $7,611 Meal plan: $5,984
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	94.0% Average amount $10,620	86.0% Average amount $10,662
Students receiving federal student loan	19.0% Average amount $4,996	39.0% Average amount $5,123
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $13,430	7.0% Average amount $15,924

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	33,593 Men 42.9% Women 57.1%	24,231 Men 48.8% Women 51.2%
Graduate students	11,537 Men 38.4% Women 61.6%	7,814 Men 47.9% Women 52.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	15.7%	N/A
International students	4.2%	11.1%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	6,709	13,582
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Florida Georgia New Jersey New York Illinois	New York New Jersey Connecticut California New Hampshire

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Education Visual & Performing Arts Legal Profession	Business Engineering Health Professions Multidisciplinary Studies Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	22:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	83.2%	83.7%
Dropout rate	10.9%	5.1%
Transferred out	5.3%	10.5%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $86,926 Year 2: $92,632 Year 3: $102,429 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,442 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $89,448 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,610 Year 2: $68,305 Year 3: $78,263 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,971 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $78,057 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,179 Year 2: $83,177 Year 3: $77,718 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $78,794 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $77,527 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,567 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $75,845 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,881 Year 2: $68,918 Year 3: $74,476 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: N/A Year 3: $74,364 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,216 Year 2: $60,325 Year 3: $72,686	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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between UMass Amherst and Florida State University (FSU)?

UMass Amherst is a large public research university located in a college town in western Massachusetts, known for its strong programs in computer science, engineering, and natural sciences. FSU, also a large public research university, is situated in Tallahassee, Florida, and is recognized for its programs in film, music, and political science. UMass experiences cold winters, while FSU has a warm, subtropical climate. The student body demographics and campus cultures also differ, reflecting their respective geographic locations.
Which university is more affordable, UMass Amherst or FSU?

Generally, FSU is more affordable for in-state students due to Florida's lower tuition rates for residents. However, for out-of-state students, the cost of attendance can be comparable, and it's essential to consider factors like financial aid, scholarships, and cost of living in each location. UMass Amherst may offer more generous financial aid packages to attract out-of-state students.
How do the academic reputations of UMass Amherst and FSU compare?

Both UMass Amherst and FSU are respected public universities. UMass Amherst is often ranked higher nationally overall, particularly in STEM fields. FSU has strong programs in areas like film, music, and political science, and its overall academic reputation is steadily rising. The 'better' reputation depends on your specific field of study.
What is the campus environment like at UMass Amherst versus FSU?

UMass Amherst has a classic New England college town feel, with a vibrant student life centered around academics and research. The campus is surrounded by natural beauty and offers a strong sense of community. FSU's campus in Tallahassee has a more relaxed, Southern atmosphere. It's known for its strong school spirit, active Greek life, and focus on athletics. The social scenes are quite different, reflecting the regional cultures.
Which university has stronger programs in engineering and computer science?

UMass Amherst generally has a stronger reputation and higher rankings in engineering and computer science compared to FSU. UMass Amherst has dedicated colleges for both disciplines with extensive research opportunities and industry connections.
What are the career opportunities like after graduating from UMass Amherst or FSU?

Career opportunities vary depending on your major and location preferences. UMass Amherst benefits from its proximity to Boston and the Northeast's strong tech and biotech industries. FSU offers opportunities in Florida's growing economy, particularly in fields like tourism, hospitality, and government. Both universities have career services to assist students with internships and job placement.
How do the climates differ between UMass Amherst and FSU?

UMass Amherst experiences four distinct seasons, including cold, snowy winters and warm summers. FSU, located in Tallahassee, has a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. If you prefer warmer weather year-round, FSU is the better choice. If you enjoy experiencing all four seasons, UMass Amherst might be a better fit.
What are the admission requirements like for UMass Amherst and FSU?

Both universities are competitive, but admission requirements can vary slightly. Generally, UMass Amherst may have slightly higher average SAT/ACT scores and GPA expectations, especially for its more competitive programs. FSU also considers factors like extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. Check each university's website for the most up-to-date admission requirements.
Does UMass Amherst or FSU have a stronger focus on research?

Both UMass Amherst and FSU are classified as R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity. However, UMass Amherst has a slightly larger research expenditure and a greater emphasis on research across various disciplines, particularly in STEM fields. Both offer ample research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
What are the popular majors at UMass Amherst and FSU?

At UMass Amherst, popular majors include Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Biology, and Psychology. At FSU, popular majors include Business, Psychology, Biological Sciences, Social Sciences, and Film. Your choice should align with your academic interests and career goals.

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