Computer Science at UMass Amherst is run out of the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS), and it's genuinely one of the strongest public CS departments in the country: U.S. News ranks the undergraduate program #1 among public computer science programs in the Northeast, #16 among all public CS programs nationally, and #35 among all 601 ranked public and private CS programs in the US. With roughly 1,470 students enrolled in the BS/BA programs alone (out of about 2,535 across all CICS programs), it's also a large department with real research depth, sitting close enough to Boston's tech corridor to draw recruiters like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Cisco directly to campus.
This guide covers what it actually takes to get into UMass Amherst's Computer Science program: acceptance rate context, fees, admission requirements, how to strengthen your application, English-test rules, and career outcomes.
Acceptance Rate
UMass Amherst does not publish a department-level acceptance rate for Computer Science, at either the BS or MS level. What is known:
- University-wide undergraduate acceptance rate (Fall 2025): approximately 59-60% overall
- UMass's own admissions guidance explicitly states that its colleges are not equally selective, and that CICS is among the most competitive colleges to be admitted into directly as a major
- Third-party estimate sites cite a CS-specific acceptance rate in the rough range of 10-15%, sometimes framed even lower for direct high-demand admission; this figure is not published by UMass and should be treated as an unverified third-party estimate rather than an official statistic
- For the MS in Computer Science, UMass does not publish an admit rate; the department's own guidance emphasizes strong undergraduate preparation in relevant coursework as the most important qualification, more than any single number
Given the gap between the university-wide figure and the CS-specific estimates circulating online, applicants should treat Computer Science at UMass Amherst as a genuinely competitive, selective admission target, not a moderate one, regardless of the university's headline 60% figure.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
CS students pay UMass Amherst's standard international student tuition and fee rate, since CICS does not currently publish a separate, higher tuition band for the major.
| Cost item | Amount (International, 2026-2027) |
|---|---|
| Tuition & fees (undergraduate, university-wide rate) | ~$43,505/year |
| Housing (on-campus) | ~$10,188/year |
| Food | ~$9,878/year |
| Supplemental health insurance | ~$2,470/year |
| Approximate total (on-campus) | ~$66,000/year |
| MS in Computer Science tuition & fees (non-resident) | ~$35,662/year |
These figures come from UMass's own published 2026-2027 estimates, which the university notes are subject to final Board of Trustees approval. UMass does not publish a separately higher cost of attendance specifically for CICS students; CS students pay the same university-wide rate as other majors.
International students are not eligible for US federal financial aid. Graduate CS students, particularly in research-active labs, commonly access funding through teaching or research assistantships, though this is competitive and department-managed rather than guaranteed at admission.
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate (BS/BA in Computer Science)
- Completed Common Application with UMass-specific questions
- Official high school transcript (grades 9-11 minimum) or secondary school exam results
- One academic letter of recommendation, plus a counselor/School Report
- $85 application fee (not waivable for international applicants)
- SAT/ACT: test-optional
- Strong performance in precalculus and foundational math coursework is specifically cited as important preparation for CS admission
- English proficiency evidence (unless exempt)
Deadlines: Early Action, November 5; Regular Decision, January 15.
Graduate (MS in Computer Science)
- Application through the UMass Graduate School
- A four-year undergraduate degree in Computer Science or a closely related field
- GRE: not required, and optional submission does not affect the admission decision either way
- Strong grades in relevant coursework (theory, systems, machine learning) are the department's stated priority over any single test score
- Statement of purpose, resume/CV, and letters of recommendation
- English proficiency scores (unless exempt): third-party sources cite an informal GPA reference point around 2.75 for international applicants, though this is not the department's own published minimum and should be treated cautiously
- Deadline: Fall entry only, typically December 15 for international applicants; the MS in CS does not currently admit for Spring
The MS in Computer Science requires 30 course credits, including four core requirements (one each from Theory, Systems, Machine Learning, and any additional area, each passed with a B or higher), plus 12 credits of 600-level or higher coursework. Students interested in data science specifically can pursue an optional Data Science concentration within the same MS in CS application and degree structure, along with a separate joint certificate in Statistical & Computational Data Science offered with the Statistics department.
How to Get Into UMass Amherst's Computer Science Program
-
Treat CICS as a standalone selective admission, not a UMass-wide 60% bet. Because UMass explicitly signals that CICS is one of its most competitive colleges, build your application (grades, math/CS course rigor, and any relevant projects) as you would for a selective specialized program.
-
Show strong precalculus and math performance specifically. UMass's own admissions guidance calls out precalculus performance as directly relevant preparation for CS admission, more specific advice than most universities give, so make sure this coursework and its grades are clearly visible on your transcript.
-
For the MS, invest your prep time in coursework and projects, not the GRE. Since GRE is optional and does not affect your outcome either way, use that time to strengthen your undergraduate CS coursework performance and build a portfolio of technical projects that demonstrate readiness for graduate-level systems, theory, or machine learning coursework.
-
Decide upfront if you want the Data Science concentration. Because it uses the same unified MS in CS application, indicate this interest clearly in your statement of purpose so your file is evaluated with that specialization in mind from the start.
-
Apply by December 15 for Fall international admission, and don't expect a Spring option. The MS in CS admits for Fall only, so missing this window means waiting a full additional year, unlike some programs that offer a Spring alternative.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
Computer Science follows UMass Amherst's university-wide English proficiency minimums; CICS does not publish a separate, higher threshold specific to the major.
Undergraduate:
- 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
Graduate:
- IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall
- TOEFL iBT: 80 (pre-January 2026 test scale); a combined score of 4 on the new scale for tests taken from January 2026
- PTE Academic: 53
- Duolingo English Test: 115 (some third-party sources cite 120 for CS specifically; confirm directly with CICS before relying on this)
Given how competitive CICS admission is, treat these as floors rather than targets, especially if your written statement of purpose and technical background need to do more of the persuading. For the complete breakdown across UMass Amherst's programs, see the UMass Amherst guide.
Career Outcomes
CICS publishes some of the most detailed outcomes data of any UMass Amherst college:
- BS/BA employer reach: more than 110 unique employers hired CICS BS/BA graduates within six months of graduation (Class of 2023 data)
- Outcome rate: approximately 85% of BS/BA graduates from the Class of 2023 reported a career outcome (employment or continued education) related to their field within six months of graduation
- Continued education: about 28% of BS/BA graduates go on to pursue an advanced degree
- Reported salaries: median reported salary for MS in CS graduates is cited around $135,000; BS/BA graduate salary ranges are cited around $93,000-$105,000, per CICS's own destination-report data (response-rate dependent, so treat as directional rather than a full-population average)
- Top recruiters: Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Cisco are frequently cited among the top employers of CICS graduates, alongside strong regional placement (about 51% of alumni remain in Massachusetts)
Computer Science is a STEM-designated degree at UMass Amherst, qualifying international 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 a specific acceptance rate for Computer Science? No. The university does not release department-level acceptance rates. The university-wide undergraduate rate is about 59-60%, but UMass's own guidance says CICS is one of its most selective colleges; third-party estimates put CS-specific admission in the 10-15% range, though that figure is unverified.
Is the GRE required for the MS in Computer Science? No. GRE is not required, and submitting it or not does not affect your admission outcome either way.
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need? Undergraduate: IELTS 6.5 (no subscore below 6.0) or TOEFL 80 (no subscore below 20); PTE is not accepted at the undergraduate level. Graduate: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 80 (pre-2026 scale), or PTE 53.
How much does the program cost for international students? Undergraduate tuition and fees run about $43,505/year (university-wide rate; CICS does not charge a separate rate), with total cost of attendance around $66,000/year including housing, food, and insurance. The MS in Computer Science runs about $35,662/year in tuition and fees.
Is there a Data Science option within Computer Science? Yes. UMass Amherst does not have a standalone BS in Data Science, but offers a Data Science concentration within the BS in Informatics, and a Data Science concentration within the MS in Computer Science, both administered through CICS.
Is UMass Amherst Computer Science STEM-OPT eligible? Yes. It is a STEM-designated degree, qualifying graduates for the standard OPT period plus the 24-month STEM OPT extension.