Sept. 6, 2005:At a time of ever-escalating college costs and high debt accumulation by students pursuing higher education degrees, the U.S. News & World Report has ranked UMass-Amherst 14th among national universities whose graduates have accumulated the least amount of debt.
Only 42% of UMass-Amherst's students graduate with debt and the average amount of that debt is $12,677. At several national universities the average total for those students graduating with debt is more than $29,000.
UMass President Jack M. Wilson said, "We are always pleased to see third-party evidence, such as that provided by U.S. News & World Report, confirming that our continuing efforts to keep costs affordable - and to provide as much financial aid as possible - have helped our students to maintain low debt levels upon graduation."
In academic year 2004-2005, UMass met 89% of the financial need of students at UMass-Amherst and 91% for the UMass system as a whole, which also includes campuses in Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell and Worcester.
President Wilson noted that UMass is seeking to keep tuition and fee increases as minimal as possible and below the rate of inflation. "We've accomplished that during the past two years," he said, "and we hope to continue that trend, assuming stable appropriations from the state budget, of course."
More than 56,000 students attend UMass campuses each year.
Contacts: Robert P. Connolly, 617.287.7073; Bill Wright, 617.287.7065