College Overview

CICS graduate programs in computer science rank:

• #1 among public computer science programs in the Northeast
• #13 among public computer science programs in the U.S.
• #21 among all 210 ranked public and private computer science programs in the U.S.

— U.S. News & World Report 2025

Our graduate programs also consistently rank among the top 25 computer science graduate programs on CS Rankings, a metrics-based ranking system managed by CICS Professor Emery Berger.

The CICS undergraduate program in computer science ranks:

• #1 among public computer science programs in the Northeast
• #16 among public computer science program in the U.S.
• #35 among all 601 ranked public and private computer science programs in the U.S.

— U.S. News & World Report 2025

Enrollment Fall 2025

• Total enrolled: 2,683
• BS and BA computer science: 1,535
• BS informatics: 199
• MS computer science: 630
• PhD computer science: 319

Our talented graduates start out a step ahead. The annual graduate outcomes report includes detailed information about post-graduate placement (Class of 2025).

• $93,000–$105,000: typical salary range for BS/BA graduates
• 150+ unique employers hire BS/BA students within 6 months of graduation
• 51% of alumni remain in Massachusetts 
• 32% of BS/BA graduates continue for an advanced degree

Since the founding of the UMass Amherst computer science program in 1964, our faculty have continuously been recognized for their achievements and contributions to computing.

• Tenure-stream, teaching, and research faculty: 89
• Lifetime research achievement awards: 26
• Professional Society Fellows: 53
• National Science Foundation CAREER awards: 39
• UMass Amherst distinguished professors: 9

• New awards in FY24: $27.1M (a 93% increase since 2014)
• Expenditures in FY24: $20.4M (a 57% increase since 2014)
• Collaborations with every college across campus