College Overview

CICS graduate programs in computer science rank:

• #8 among public institutions in North America
• #24 among public and private institutions in North America
• #16 in artificial Intelligence; #23 in systems; #23 in programming languages 

— U.S. News & World Report 2024

Our graduate programs 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:

• #22 among public institutions in the U.S. 
• #40 among all public and private institutions in the U.S.

 — U.S. News & World Report 2023

Since 2013, enrollment in CICS undergraduate and graduate programs has increased by more than 300 percent.

Enrollment Fall 2023

• Total enrolled: 2,603
• BS and BA computer science: 1,539
• BS informatics: 154
• MS computer science: 613
• PhD computer science: 297

(First-year students, Fall 2023)

• 32% Women
  Up from 14.5% in 2016 and comparable to the industry benchmark of 26%
• 33% Eligible for need-based financial aid 

Our talented graduates start out a step ahead. 

The annual graduate outcomes report includes detailed information about post-graduate placement.(Class of 2023)

• $131K: median salary for MS graduates
• 170+ unique employers hire BS/BA students within 6 months of graduation
• 51% of alumni remain in Massachusetts 
• 21% 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 and teaching faculty: 88
• Lifetime research achievement awards: 23
• Professional Society Fellows: 47
• National Science Foundation CAREER awards: 34
• UMass Amherst distinguished professors: 8

• New awards in FY23: $27.1M (a 53% increase since 2013)
• Expenditures in FY23: $20.4M (a 49% increase since 2013)
• Collaborations with every college across campus