The University of Massachusetts Amherst, established in 1863, is a coeducational, nationally ranked research institution located on a 1450-acre campus in the historic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, 90 miles west of Boston, in a beautiful, culturally rich New England town surrounded by hills, forests, lakes, and meadows. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is the flagship campus of the Commonwealths university system.
At Amherst there are approximately 23,200 students, of whom about 5,200 are graduate students. This campus offers bachelors degrees in 90 areas, associates degrees in six, masters degrees in 68, and the doctorate in 50.
The University is one of the founding members of the Five College consortium, offering reciprocal student access to about 5000 courses among the University and Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith colleges.