Ottawa University-Surprise
Surprise
AZ
$16000 Per Year
Are you planning to attend UMass Amherst and looking for the best housing option for your budget and lifestyle? If so, you might be interested in learning more about the dorm room costs at this prestigious public university. In this post, we will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about living on campus at UMass Amherst.
The cost of living in a dorm at UMass Amherst ranges from $3,720.50 to $7,274.00 per semester, depending on the room type and location. The cost of a meal plan ranges from $2,997.50 to $3,489.00 per semester, depending on the plan type and dining options.
Dorm Room Options at UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst offers a variety of dorm room options for students, from traditional shared rooms to apartment-style living. The dorms are grouped into seven residential areas: Central, Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community (CHCRC), Northeast, Orchard Hill, Southwest, Sylvan, and North. Each area has its own distinctive characteristics, amenities, and cultural programs.
The table below shows the different room types and their features and costs per semester for the academic year 2023-2024.
| Room Type | Features | Cost Per Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Shared Room | Two beds, two desks, two chairs, two dressers, two closets | $4,077.00 |
| Standard Single Room | One bed, one desk, one chair, one dresser, one closet | $5,370.00 |
| Break Housing Shared Room | Same as standard shared room, plus access to the dorm during Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring breaks | $4,477.00 |
| Break Housing Single Room | Same as standard single room, plus access to the dorm during Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring breaks | $5,770.00 |
| Sylvan Shared | Two beds, two desks, two chairs, two dressers in a suite with a common living area and bathroom | $3,720.50 |
| Sylvan Single | One bed, one desk, one chair, one dresser in a suite with a common living area and bathroom | $5,770.00 |
| Cashin Shared | Two beds, two desks, two chairs in a suite with a common living area and bathroom | $4,120.50 |
| Cashin Single | One bed, one desk, one chair in a suite with a common living area and bathroom | $5,296.00 |
| North Apartment Single | One bed, one desk, one chair in an apartment with a kitchenette and bathroom | $7,274.00 |
| CHCRC First-Year Shared | Two beds, two desks in a room with a private bathroom | $4,433.00 |
| CHCRC First-Year Single | One bed, one desk in a room with a private bathroom | $5,844.50 |
| CHCRC Suite Shared | Two beds in a suite with a common living area and bathroom | $4,860.50 |
| CHCRC Suite Single | One bed in a suite with a common living area and bathroom | $6,413.00 |
| CHCRC Apartment Shared | Two beds in an apartment with a kitchenette and bathroom | $5,560.00 |
| CHCRC Apartment Single | One bed in an apartment with a kitchenette and bathroom | $7,274.00 |
| Expanded Housing | A temporary space in a lounge or study room with up to four beds until permanent housing is available | $3,489.00 |
| Economy Triple Standard | Three beds in a standard shared room | $2,997.50 |
| Economy Triple CHCRC | Three beds in a CHCRC first-year shared room or suite shared room | $3,354.00 |
Meal Plans at UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst is known for its award-winning dining services that offer a variety of cuisines and options for students. All students living in non-apartment style dorms are required to have an on-campus meal plan. Students living in apartments or off-campus can also purchase a meal plan if they wish.
The table below shows the different meal plans and their features and costs per semester for the academic year 2023-2024.
| Meal Plan | Features | Cost Per Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited 500 | Unlimited access to any of the four dining commons plus 500 Dining Dollars* or 25 Meal Exchanges** per semester and 15 guest meals per year | $3,489.00 |
| Unlimited 250 | Unlimited access to any of the four dining commons plus 250 Dining Dollars* or 15 Meal Exchanges** per semester and 10 guest meals per year | $3,389.00 |
| Unlimited DC Basic | Unlimited access to any of the four dining commons plus 8 guest meals per year | $3,289.00 |
| YCMP Platinum | 224 swipes per semester to use at any of the four dining commons or retail locations plus 400 Dining Dollars* or 20 Meal Exchanges** per semester and 10 guest meals per year | $3,489.00 |
| YCMP Gold | 160 swipes per semester to use at any of the four dining commons or retail locations plus 300 Dining Dollars* or 15 Meal Exchanges** per semester and 8 guest meals per year | $3,389.00 |
| YCMP Commuter | 80 swipes per semester to use at any of the four dining commons or retail locations plus 150 Dining Dollars* or 8 Meal Exchanges** per semester and 4 guest meals per year | $2,997.50 |
*Dining Dollars are funds that can be used at any UMass Dining location, including cafes, markets, food trucks, and concessions.
**Meal Exchanges are swipes that can be used at select retail locations for a pre-set meal combo.
Dorm Room Costs Comparison
How do the dorm room costs at UMass Amherst compare to those of similar schools? To answer this question, we looked at the data from some of the comparable colleges to UMass Amherst, such as Boston University, Northeastern University, Penn State University, and University of Connecticut.
The table below shows the average cost of a standard shared room and a standard meal plan per semester for each school for the academic year 2023-2024.
| School | Standard Shared Room Cost Per Semester | Standard Meal Plan Cost Per Semester | Total Cost Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| UMass Amherst | $4,077.00 | $3,389.00 | $7,466.00 |
| Boston University | $7,650.00 | $3,050.00 | $10,700.00 |
| Northeastern University | $7,500.00 | $3,200.00 | $10,700.00 |
| Penn State University | $4,000.00 | $2,900.00 | $6,900.00 |
| University of Connecticut | $4,500.00 | $3,100.00 | $7,600.00 |
As you can see from the table, UMass Amherst offers a competitive price for its dorm room and meal plan compared to other similar schools. The total cost per semester is lower than Boston University and Northeastern University by about $3,000 and slightly lower than University of Connecticut by about $100. The total cost per semester is higher than Penn State University by about $500, but UMass Amherst also offers more dining options and amenities than Penn State.
FAQs
Q: How can I apply for a dorm room at UMass Amherst?
A: To apply for a dorm room at UMass Amherst, you need to complete the online housing application through SPIRE (the student information system). You will need to indicate your preferences for residential area, room type, roommate(s), and special housing options (if applicable). You will also need to pay a non-refundable housing fee of $300 to secure your spot. You can access the housing application here.
Q: How can I change my dorm room or meal plan at UMass Amherst?
A: If you are not satisfied with your dorm room or meal plan assignment, you can request a change through SPIRE. You can change your dorm room during the room swap period (usually in September and February) or during the room selection process (usually in March and April). You can change your meal plan until the end of the add/drop period for each semester (usually in September and February). You can find more information about changing your dorm room here and changing your meal plan here.
Conclusion
Living in a dorm at UMass Amherst can be a great way to experience the campus life and enjoy the award-winning dining services. The dorm room costs at UMass Amherst are reasonable compared to other similar schools and offer a good value for money. You can choose from a variety of dorm room options and meal plans to suit your needs and preferences.
If you are interested in living in a dorm at UMass Amherst, you should apply as soon as possible through SPIRE and pay the housing fee to secure your spot. You can also change your dorm room or meal plan if you are not happy with your assignment.
We hope this post has given you all the information you need to make an informed decision about living on campus at UMass Amherst. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at DormInfo.com. We are here to help you find the best housing option for your college
