Why Massachusetts?

A Strong Economy

Ranked as the best state in the nation in 2017 by U.S. News & World Report, Massachusetts is home to a thriving economy that attracts both Fortune 500 companies and new startups, giving UMass students direct access to internship and career opportunities at some of the top organizations in the world.

Once a manufacturing hub during the Industrial Revolution, Massachusetts has become a global leader in fields including higher education, finance, biotechnology and engineering.

A Culture of Innovation

Thanks in large part to the presence of major universities like UMass, Massachusetts is a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity. Ranked by the Milken Institute as the Best State for Innovation for the 16th consecutive year, Massachusetts is a global economic force in both established and emerging industries.

In total, 40 percent of Massachusetts workers are directly connected to the “innovation economy,” and Massachusetts has the highest rates of STEM-related employment in the country.

The city of Boston was named the top city in the nation for fostering entrepreneurial growth for two years in a row by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and Massachusetts companies currently manage more than $50 billion in venture capital.

As a result, UMass students have access to life-changing educational and professional opportunities at some of the nation’s most successful companies.

Quality of Life

Consistently ranked at or near the top of U.S. News & World Report’s Best States list, Massachusetts is home to some of the world’s leading hospitals, educational institutions and one of the strongest economies in the nation, giving residents an exceptionally high quality of life.

In addition to having the most educated population in the United States, with half of its residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, Massachusetts has the second-highest median wage in the country.

The state is also a leader in protecting nature and the environment; Massachusetts has been ranked the most energy-efficient state in the country seven years in a row by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, and 25 percent of the state’s land is set aside for various permanent conservation efforts.

Ultimately, Massachusetts isn’t just an education mecca, a research powerhouse or an economic hub. More than anything, it’s home to a revolutionary spirit — a relentless drive for innovation, growth and advancement; a willingness to do what’s never been done before to achieve the ‘impossible.’ In Massachusetts, we refuse to rest on our laurels or settle for ‘good enough,’ and it’s that spirit that has cemented this state’s place in history and ensured its enduring leadership and success.” Marty Meehan President, University of Massachusetts

Find a UMass Program

The University of Massachusetts has hundreds of degree programs at four world-class undergraduate/graduate campuses across the state and top-tier medical and law schools.

Affordability Calculator

Find out how affordable UMass is with our affordability calculator, which allows in-state students to estimate what a UMass education will cost.

Find a Campus

The University of Massachusetts has four unique undergraduate/graduate campuses located in Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth and Lowell. Use our Campus Finder tool to learn about the characteristics that make each campus an exciting place to live and learn.