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University of Massachusetts - Amherst
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University of Massachusetts - Amherst - Diversity - Diversity - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.08

Diversity

B-
Where does this grade come from?View all Diversity rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Diversity Grades:

Quick Stats

African American 5%
Asian American 8%
Hispanic 4%
International 1%
Native American 0%
White 68%
Unknown 14%
Historically Black College/University? No
Tribal College? No
Out-of-State Students 27%
Common States of Residence
  • Connecticut
  • Foreign countries
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
Student Age Breakdown Under 18: 1%
18-19: 37%
20-21: 38%
22-24: 13%
25+: 10%
Female Faculty 38%
Male Faculty 62%
Faculty Diversity African American: 4%
Asian American: 8%
Hispanic: 3%
International: 11%
Native American: 0%
White: 69%
Unknown: 4%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

UMass is a fairly diverse university in a variety of ways. There is a strong sense of community among minority groups, as many students enjoy connecting with others of their culture. The rich diversity also gives students the chance to learn about cultures different from their own. When it comes to economic status, the average UMass student is middle class, though this varies greatly. A large percentage of students receive considerable financial aid, but many others pay full price and move in dressed in designer clothes. Politically, UMass, as well as the surrounding area, is notorious for its liberal views. However, a recent article in the University newspaper, The Collegian, discussed how there may be more political diversity than expected.

Most students on campus identify as either Christian or Jewish, but there is a presence of other religions, as well. There are many resources, clubs, and events on campus for students who actively practice their religion or are interested in learning about different religions. In terms of sexual orientation at UMass, the majority of students are heterosexual, but there is an active LGBTQ resource center on campus. The Stonewall Center provides resources and runs events for LGBTQ students, and also educates others with the goal of creating a more inclusive environment for all. Overall, it seems that the UMass community is generally accepting of everyone else.

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UMass Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Diversity at University of Massachusetts - Amherst

sophia180

Japanese Language and Literature '15

3.5
B

Amherst Diversity

UMass Amherst is a very diverse school. There are people from all around the world and it's not hard to find someone that was the same race, but what if you want to spend some time and make friends with people that are racially different than you in order to broaden your horizons? That isn't hard to do either. Our campus is extremely diverse and you can easily find many people from any part of the world.

May 16, 2012

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Diversity at University of Massachusetts - Amherst

TLima

History '15

4.6
A

Not Shabby

It's fairly diverse, depending on where you live. There are a lot of Asians in Northeast. People are very liberal and come from a multitude of backgrounds.

Mar 31, 2012

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Diversity at University of Massachusetts - Amherst

imani93

Nursing '15

3.8
B+

Many Different Types of People

People from all over the world come to Umass Amherst bringing their different beliefs and ideas to the table. Races tend to gravitate toward each other but, depending on the crowd, it can be a very enlightening atmosphere.

Jan 26, 2012

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Page 1 of 14
User rating for University of Massachusetts - Amherst - Diversity is 3.5 out of 5 based on 40 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

How diverse is the student body in the following areas?

How diverse is your personal circle of friends in the following areas?

How accepting is the campus community as a whole toward someone who falls into the minority (ethnic, sexual, or religious)?

How would you best describe your personal political beliefs?

How would you best describe the political beliefs of campus as a whole?

Facts

Gay Pride

The homosexual community at UMass is quite prevalent. Once a year, a gay pride rally is held at the Student Union, and Mary Lyon Hall, in the Northeast Residential Area, has a floor where gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students can choose to live as a group. Also, the Stonewall Center, a GLBT educational resource center, is very active in supporting the homosexual community and provides resources and runs social events.

Political Activity

The town of Amherst, including the students from the University of Massachusetts, is a very politically active place. Most people here have liberal views and will not hesitate to discuss or argue any important issue. Many political candidates campaign throughout the year at the various UMass auditoriums. The UMass chapter of MassPIRG (Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group) makes great efforts to get students involved in political activity.

Economic Status

Just about every economic class is represented at UMass. At any given moment you could see an El Camino and a Lincoln Navigator stopped at the same red light. The students at nearby Amherst College are very affluent, while UMass students, on average, illustrate a more accurate depiction of middle-class America.

Most Common Religions

The most common religions on campus are Christianity and Judaism. There are many registered student organizations on campus that reflect these and other religions. The Newman Catholic Center and Hillel House offer many resources and events for students.

Minority Clubs on Campus

CMASS, the Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success (formerly the Office of Programs and Services for ALANA Students), is an educational support agency that serves the needs of UMass’s minority population. It’s a conglomeration of more than 20 minority clubs that are very active on campus—they regularly hold rallies, speeches, and other events to address and work toward solving problems facing students of an ethnic minority.

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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.