Civil Engineering at UMass Amherst sits in the Riccio College of Engineering, distinct from the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) that houses UMass's Computer Science and Data Science programs. It's a genuinely different academic track from CICS or Isenberg (Business), and it follows its own entrance-to-major structure once you're admitted to the university.
This article covers the acceptance picture, the entrance-to-major process, cost, admission requirements, English-test rules, and career outcomes for Civil Engineering specifically.
Acceptance Rate
UMass Amherst does not publish a Civil-Engineering-specific acceptance rate. What's available is the entrance-to-major course and GPA structure: an older but still-referenced UMass undergraduate guide states that students may be admitted to the Civil Engineering major with a cumulative GPA of 2.000 or better, along with grades of C or better in MATH 131, ENGIN 111 (or equivalent), CHEM 111, and ENGLWRIT 112. We could not confirm a current, separately published international-specific GPA rule for entry into Civil Engineering specifically, so treat this course-and-GPA structure as the reference point and confirm current figures directly with the Riccio College of Engineering advising office.
For context, UMass Amherst's overall undergraduate acceptance rate runs around 59-60% university-wide, with CICS and Isenberg reported as meaningfully more selective; Civil Engineering was not reported as being in that more selective band in the sources reviewed.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
Civil Engineering students pay UMass Amherst's standard university-wide tuition; UMass does not publish a separate, higher tuition rate for Civil Engineering specifically.
| Cost item | On-Campus | Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & fees | $43,505 | $43,505 |
| Housing | ~$10,188 | ~$9,772 |
| Food | ~$9,878 | ~$8,312 |
| Supplemental health insurance | ~$2,470 | ~$2,470 |
| Approximate total | ~$66,000/year | ~$64,000/year |
These are UMass's own published estimates, subject to final approval by the UMass Board of Trustees. For the full university-wide cost and aid picture, see the UMass Amherst guide.
Admission Requirements
- Completed Common Application, including UMass-specific questions, with Engineering as your intended college
- Official high school transcript (grades 9-11 at minimum) or secondary school exam results
- One academic letter of recommendation, plus a School Report or Counselor Recommendation
- $85 application fee (not waivable for international applicants)
- SAT/ACT: test-optional
- Evidence of English proficiency (unless exempt)
- Financial documentation to support visa/I-20 processing once admitted
- After enrollment: a cumulative GPA of at least 2.000, with C or better in MATH 131, ENGIN 111 (or equivalent), CHEM 111, and ENGLWRIT 112, to formally enter the Civil Engineering major
Deadlines: Early Action, November 5; Regular Decision, January 15.
How to Get Into UMass Amherst's Civil Engineering Program
-
Treat initial admission and entrance-to-major as two separate steps. Being admitted to UMass Amherst does not automatically place you in Civil Engineering; plan your first-year coursework around the four named prerequisite courses from the outset.
-
Protect your grades in the specific prerequisite courses, not just your overall GPA. Because entrance-to-major depends on C-or-better grades in MATH 131, ENGIN 111, CHEM 111, and ENGLWRIT 112 specifically, a strong overall average with a weak grade in one of these courses can still complicate entry.
-
Consider the 4+1 accelerated BS/MS pathway early if you're interested in graduate study. UMass Amherst offers a 4+1 program in Civil Engineering open to enrolled majors who meet the GPA criterion, with the GRE waived for UMass Amherst Civil Engineering students pursuing it; applications typically go in during spring of junior year.
-
Clear the English proficiency bar with margin. Civil Engineering coursework involves substantial technical writing, lab reporting, and design documentation, so scoring above UMass's stated minimums reduces friction in a demanding first year.
-
Confirm current entrance-to-major figures directly with the Riccio College of Engineering, since the clearest official source we could locate was an older undergraduate guide rather than a current bulletin page.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
Civil Engineering follows UMass Amherst's university-wide undergraduate English proficiency minimums; there is no separately published Civil-Engineering-specific override in the sources reviewed.
| Test | Minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall, no subscore below 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 80 overall, no subscore below 20 |
| Duolingo English Test | 115 |
| PTE Academic | Not accepted for undergraduate admission |
For the full set of waivers and score-validity rules, see the UMass Amherst guide.
Career Outcomes
Civil Engineering graduates from UMass Amherst's Riccio College of Engineering move into roles across structural, transportation, environmental, and geotechnical engineering, drawing on the Boston corridor's substantial infrastructure, construction, and consulting employer base. A single, confirmed Civil-Engineering-specific employment rate or starting salary from a primary UMass source was not found during this research; UMass Amherst's strongest, most citable career outcomes data sits with CICS (Computer Science), rather than Civil Engineering specifically.
Civil Engineering is STEM-designated, qualifying graduates for the standard 12-month OPT period plus the 24-month STEM OPT extension, for up to three years of US work authorization after graduation.
FAQ
Does UMass Amherst publish an acceptance rate for Civil Engineering specifically? No. The relevant structure is the entrance-to-major course and GPA requirement (a cumulative 2.000 GPA plus C-or-better grades in four named courses, per the most recent official guide we could locate), not a separate admit rate.
What GPA do I need to enter Civil Engineering at UMass Amherst? A cumulative GPA of 2.000 or better, with C or better in MATH 131, ENGIN 111 (or equivalent), CHEM 111, and ENGLWRIT 112, per UMass's undergraduate guide. Confirm the current figure directly with the Riccio College of Engineering, since our clearest source was not from a current bulletin page.
Is there an accelerated path to a master's degree? Yes. UMass Amherst's 4+1 BS/MS program in Civil Engineering is open to enrolled majors who meet the GPA criterion, with the GRE waived for students pursuing it.
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need for Civil Engineering at UMass Amherst? The same as the university-wide undergraduate minimums: IELTS 6.5 (no subscore below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 80 (no subscore below 20).
Does Civil Engineering at UMass Amherst qualify for STEM OPT? Yes. It is STEM-designated, so graduates qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of standard 12-month OPT.