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University of Massachusetts - Amherst
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University of Massachusetts - Amherst - Campus Housing - Campus Housing - College ProwlerCollege Prowler2.69

Campus Housing

C+
Where does this grade come from?View all Campus Housing rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Campus Housing Grades:

Quick Stats

On-Campus Housing Available? Yes
Campus Housing Capacity 12,012
Average Housing Costs $4,672
Freshmen Required to Live on Campus? Yes
Undergrads Living On Campus 63%
Freshmen Living On Campus 97%
Number of Dormitories 41
Number of Campus-Owned Apartments 1
Best Freshman Dorms
  • Any of the freshman-only dorms in Southwest Residential Area
  • Dickinson or Webster halls in Orchard Hill Residential Area
  • Van Meter Hall in Central Residential Area
Best Upperclassman Dorms
  • Baker or Gorman halls in Central Residential Area
  • Grayson or Field halls in Orchard Hill Residential Area
  • North Apartments
Worst Freshman Dorms
  • Southwest Residential Area towers
  • Sylvan Residential Area
Worst Upperclassman Dorms
  • Southwest Residential Area
  • Sylvan Residential Area

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

There are five major residential areas on campus, each with a distinctive culture. Southwest is the newest and largest residential area and is a known party area. It is defined by its five towers but also has 11 low-rise buildings. The dorms on the north side of Southwest have unique Z-shaped rooms, while the rooms are traditional rectangles on the south side. Central Residential Area has a more rural feel and is popular among students categorized as "hippies." Half of Central is on flat land close to campus, but the other half is on the hill closer to the aptly named Orchard Hill Residential Area. Orchard Hill houses many students in the honors college and, consequently, has a reputation for being a place where smarter students live. Central and Orchard Hill dorms have nice rooms, but the downside is that you have to walk the hill every day. However, with two great dining commons nearby (Franklin and Worcester), the extra exercise may not be a bad thing!

Northeast Residential Area has a sand volleyball court, and once spring hits, everyone goes outside to socialize. It is also extremely close to many of the science buildings, making it ideal for students majoring in the sciences. Sylvan Area offers suite-style living that is ideal for students looking for a quiet atmosphere, but may not be ideal for anyone who wants a rich social experience. Sylvan is far from classes and the rooms are very small, but you will only have to share a bathroom with five other people. Overall, the dorms at UMass are in good shape—they are kept clean and provide students with everything they need, but they are not the most beautiful. Most likely, you won't have a problem with UMass dorms unless you visit other schools with newer, better-looking dorms.

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UMass Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Campus Housing at University of Massachusetts - Amherst

silvernotes8

Mechanical Engineering '15

5.0
A+

Food

The food services is top notch at UMass. Special guest chefs come in with their special preparations, a lot of food is grown on campus, the food cards and plans are great, cost is reasonable, and besides the four main dining commons, there are many other options to eat at UMass.

May 10, 2012

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Campus Housing at University of Massachusetts - Amherst

rosielorien

Anthropology and Archaeology '15

3.5
B

Depends

Central and O-Hill are the best. Northeast has a convenient location, but not much going on. Southwest is disgusting.

Apr 09, 2012

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Campus Housing at University of Massachusetts - Amherst

TLima

History '15

4.6
A

Pretty Good

Pick the residential area that suits you or you won't be happy. The dining is great, there is a wide variety of clubs and people, and many majors to choose from. I like it here!

Mar 31, 2012

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Page 1 of 15
User rating for University of Massachusetts - Amherst - Campus Housing is 3.5 out of 5 based on 45 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate campus housing on the following subjects

Facts

Types of Housing Offered
  • Apartments for married students
  • Apartments for single students
  • Coed dorms
  • Fraternity/sorority housing
  • Men's dorms
  • Special housing for disabled students
  • Special housing for international students
  • Theme housing
  • Wellness housing
  • Women's dorms
Room Types
  • Doubles
  • Single and double suites
  • Singles
  • Triples
  • Z-shaped rooms
Bed Types
  • Bunkable beds
  • Twin-extra long
What You Get
  • Bed
  • Bookcase
  • Cable TV
  • Closet or wardrobe
  • Desk and chair
  • Dresser
  • Ethernet access
  • Recycling bin
  • Trash can
  • Window coverings
Also Available
  • Brett, Lewis, and Brince halls are nine-month residency dorms, which means residents here can stay over breaks. Cashin is a 12-month hall. There is an extra fee for these halls, but they are great options if you are unable to go home on a major break when the other residence halls close.
  • Coed suites are available in McNamara. Students in each double must be the same gender, but the suite can house both guys and girls, who will share the common room and bathroom.
  • Family housing apartments are available.
  • Gender-free housing is available for students who are transitioning genders or who do not identify with one.
  • Many dorms have living and learning communities that focus on a theme, such as diversity, major, politics, sustainability, among many others.

Available for Rent

MicroFridges

Cleaning Service

Bathrooms and hallways are cleaned almost every day.

Did You Know? According to a survey taken; "Students are so lazy that most pee in the shower," from Lazystudents.com, 75 percent of the 840 college students polled answered "yes" to an online question asking, "Do you pee in the shower?" In other words, bring flip-flops.

DormitoriesWhat's This?

Baker Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: 24-hour quiet floor, basement lounge with pool table, floor lounges, kitchen, laundry facilities, TV lounge, vending machines. Central Residential Area.

Brett Hall
Floors: 5
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, triples
Special Features: Basement lounge with kitchen and TV, floor lounges, fully accessible for disabled students, government offices, kitchen, laundry facilities, lounges, vending machines. Central Residential Area.

Brooks Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: 24-hour quiet floor, alcohol-free dorm, floor lounges, kitchens, laundry facilities, lounges, recreation room with pool table and TV, vending machines. Central Residential Area.

Brown Hall
Floors: 8
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Suite-style
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Suites with singles, doubles
Special Features: Each suite has a living room, and building has kitchen, laundry facilities, recreation room with table games, TV lounge, vending machines. Sylvan Residential Area.

Butterfield Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Band practice room, community study lounge with fireplace, first-floor kitchen, laundry facilities, living and learning communities, recreation room with pool table, TV room. Central Residential Area.

Cance Hall
Floors: 5
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Doubles, triples
Special Features: Community lounges, first-year living and learning communities, kitchen, laundry facilities, TV lounge with pool and foosball table, vending machines. Southwest Residential Area.

Cashin Hall
Floors: 8
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Suite-style
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Suites of singles, doubles
Special Features: Each suite has a living room, and building has government offices, kitchen, laundry facilities, recreation room with pool table, Sylvan Cultural Center, TV lounge, vending machines, wellness floor. Sylvan Residential Area.

Chadbourne Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: First-floor TV lounge, floor kitchens, Josephine White Eagle Native American Cultural Center, laundry facilities, Native American student program, study lounge, recreation room with pool table, vending machines. Central Residential Area.

Coolidge Hall
Floors: 18
Number of Occupants: 500–749
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, Z-rooms
Special Features: Classrooms; Club Coolidge recreation floor with arcade, table games, TV, and snacks; Harambee, the African Heritage Program; kitchens; laundry facilities; study lounges; vending machines. Southwest Residential Area.

Crabtree Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Kitchen, laundry facilities, living and learning communities, pool table, recreation room with fireplace, study lounge, TV room, vending machines. Northeast Residential Area.

Crampton Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Kitchen and dining area, laundry facilities, non-traditional student program, study areas, TV lounges, vending machines. Southwest Residential Area.

Dickinson Hall
Floors: 7
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Doubles, triples
Special Features: Asian/Asian American Program, kitchen, laundry facilities, recreation room with pool table and TV, study lounges, vending machines. Orchard Hill Residential Area.

Dwight Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Doubles, triples
Special Features: Asian/Asian American program, kitchen, laundry facilities, meeting lounge, recreation room with pool table, TV lounge, vending machines. Northeast Residential Area.

Emerson Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, triples, Z-rooms
Special Features: Classroom, floor lounges, kitchen and dining area, laundry facilities, vending machines. Southwest Residential Area.

Field Hall
Floors: 7
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Ccmmunal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Doubles
Special Features: Kitchen, laundry facilities, living and learning communities, lounge, recreation room with pool table and TV, study lounges, Sweets N’ More, vending machines. Orchard Hill Residential Area.

Gorman Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Big community lounge with big-screen TV, first-floor kitchen, laundry facilities, living and learning communities, study lounges, vending machines. Central Residential Area.

Grayson Hall
Floors: 7
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Doubles
Special Features: First-floor lounge, kitchen, laundry facilities, study lounges, TV room, vending machines. Orchard Hill Residential Area.

Greenough Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Greenough Sub Shop, kitchen lounge, laundry facilities, study lounge, TV lounge, vending machines, wellness floor. Central Residential Area.

Hamlin Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: No, men only
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Kitchen, laundry facilities, recreation room with pool and ping-pong table, study lounge, TV lounge, vending machines. Northeast Residential Area.

James Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, triples, Z-rooms
Special Features: Dining area, kitchen, laundry facilities, living and learning communities, lounges, vending machines. Southwest Residential Area.

John Adams Hall
Floors: 19
Number of Occupants: 500–749
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, triple, Z-rooms
Special Features: Classroom, community lounges, kitchens, laundry facilities, living and learning communities, recreation room with TV, sitting area on the first floor, vending machines. Southwest Residential Area.

John Quincy Adams Hall
Floors: 18
Number of Occupants: 500–749
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, Z-rooms
Special Features: 24-hour quiet floor, Club JQA recreation floor with table games and TV, kitchens, laundry facilities, lounges, vending machines, Wellness Center. Southwest Residential Area.

Johnson Hall
Floors: 5
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: No, women only
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, triples
Special Features: Kitchen, laundry facilities, recreation room with pool table and TV, study lounge, vending machines. Northeast Residential Area.

Kennedy Hall
Floors: 20
Number of Occupants: 500–749
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, Z-rooms
Special Features: Classrooms; Club Kennedy recreation center with arcade, table games, and TV; first-year general education program; kitchen; laundry facilities; lounges; vending machines. Southwest Residential Area.

Knowlton Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, triples
Special Features: Kitchens, laundry facilities, living and learning communities, recreation room with pool table, study lounge, TV lounge with fireplace, vending machines, United Asian Learning Resource Center. Northeast Residential Area.

Leach Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Bike room; kitchen; laundry facilities; recreation room with fireplace, pool table, and TV; study lounge; vending machines. Northeast Residential Area.

Lewis Hall
Floors: 5
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Classroom and seminar room, International Program, kitchen, laundry facilities, music room with piano, recreation room with fireplace and pool table, study lounges, vending machines. Northeast Residential Area.

MacKimmie Hall
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Kitchen and dining area, laundry facilities, lounges, recreation room with TV, vending machines. Southwest Residential Area.

Mary Lyon Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Doubles
Special Features: Classroom and seminar room, kitchen, laundry facilities, living and learning communities, TV lounge with pool table and piano, vending machines. Northeast Residential Area.

McNamara Hall
Floors: 8
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Suite-style
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Suites of singles, doubles
Special Features: Each suite has a living room, and building has kitchen, laundry facilities, recreation room with pool table, snack bar, TV lounge, vending machines. Sylvan Residential Area.

Melville Hall
Floors: 5
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, triples, Z-rooms
Special Features: Kitchen and dining area, laundry facilities,lounges, table games, vending machines. Southwest Residential Area.

Moore Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Shared by wing
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Doubles, triples
Special Features: Classroom, community lounges, kitchen and dining area, laundry facilities, recreation room with TV, vending machines. Southwest Residential Area.

Patterson Hall
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Kitchen and dining area, laundry facilities, lounges, recreation room with TV, vending machines. Southwest Residential Area.

Pierpont Hall
Floors: 5
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Doubles, triples
Special Features: Classroom, community lounges, kitchen and dining area, laundry facilities, recreation room with TV and pool table, vending machines. Southwest Residential Area.

Prince Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, quads
Special Features: Kitchen and dining area, laundry facilities, pool table, reading room, study lounges, TV lounge, vending machines. Southwest Residential Area.

Thatcher Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Computer room; kitchen; laundry facilities; Max Kade German Studies Center; recreation room with fireplace, pool table, and TV; study lounges; Thatcher Foreign Language Program; vending machines. Northeast Residential Area.

Thoreau Hall
Floors: 5
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, triples, Z-rooms
Special Features: Kitchen, laundry facilities, several lounges, vending machines. Southwest Residential Area.

Van Meter Hall
Floors: 5
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Dance studio, kitchen, laundry facilities, multipurpose room, TV lounge, vending machines. Central Residential Area.

Washington Hall
Floors: 19
Number of Occupants: 500–749
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, Z-rooms
Special Features: Classrooms, community lounges, laundry facilities, recreation room with TV and pool table, vending machines, Wellness Center. Southwest Residential Area.

Webster Hall
Floors: 7
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Doubles
Special Features: Academic learning communities, kitchens, laundry facilities, main piano lounge, recreation room with TV and pool table, study lounges, vending machines. Orchard Hill Residential Area.

Wheeler Hall
Floors: 5
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Central Gallery for display of artwork, kitchen lounge, laundry facilities, recreation room with TV and pool table, study lounge, vending machines. Central Residential Area.

Campus-Owned ApartmentsWhat's This?

North Apartments
Floors: 5
Number of Units: 50 units in five buildings
Bathrooms: Two per unit
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Four singles in each unit
Special Features: Air conditioning, cable and Ethernet provided, close to classes, coed living option, full kitchen with appliances, fully furnished, laundry in building, residents can stay during school breaks, utilities included.

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Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Danielle Muise
Hometown
Medway, Mass.
Major
Marketing and Communication Disorders

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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How do we get our information? Find out here or report an error here. The statistics on our site are from the National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS database.
We update this information twice annually, most recently in May 2012, but it may not be the most recent information available for a particular school.
For additional information we encourage you to visit school websites or contact the schools directly.