Hey! So, I’m currently debating between UCLA and UMass Amherst as a psychology major. I live in New York so I’m honestly not too sure if going across the country for UCLA and paying so much money is worth it. UCLA does have one of the best undergrad psychology programs in the nation though. On the other hand, I received a lot of money from UMass Amherst and the psychology program ranking is good. In addition, it is so much closer to home. I’m really not sure where to go. Please help!! Thank you!
UMass Amherst doesn’t hold a candle to UCLA in terms of academics, especially with your chosen major. It’s a very easy decision.
What cost difference per year are we talking about?
How much is the price difference, and how much does it matter to you and your parents?
Agree with @LBad96 It’s a no brainer. Going to UCLA will open all kinds of doors UMA cannot. Future earnings will make up for any differential you have to pay now.
I would have to pay about 55,000 for UCLA but about 30,000 for UMass
About 20,000 give or take lol
UCLA is not worth $100,000 (over 4 years) more than UMass for an undergrad degree in psychology… unless you come from a very wealthy family for which that numbers is pocket change.
@preppedparent - An undergraduate Psychology degree averages about $35,000 starting and about $55,000 mid career salary. One of my daughter’s high school classmates went to Yale for Psych and recently graduated into a non-paying internship. I would be curious what specific doors you think a UCLA Psych degree will open that a UMass Psych degree won’t and what the pay differential is…
Even if I look at Phd program rankings (which people outside of academia tend not to know or care about) UCLA tends to be ranked about 5th and UMass about 25th and Yale is ranked higher than UCLA.
https://www.socialpsychology.org/ggradoth.htm
https://www.socialpsychology.org/ranking.htm
And at UMass you can takes courses at Amherst College and the other schools in the Consortium…
@Mastadon I think UCLA will open more doors for internships. Also, yes, you will have to go to graduate programs to get decent money, but there again I think coming from UCLA will get you into better grad programs.
This is one of the most generalized and inaccurate statements I have seen on CC, and that says a lot.
UCLA is a world class university, and higher ranked than UMA Amherst. @TomSrOfBoston Nothing inaccurate about it.
@preppedparent So you are in the camp that it is not the student but rather the university he attends that will make him/her a success.
It’s not worth 55k, Umass Amherst is a good school. If your parents are loaded go to UCLA, but especially for undergrad Umass is fine, you can always apply to other schools like UCLA for your masters/phd/etc.
Coming from UCLA will not get you into better grad programs for psychology than Umass.
Hi OP,
I am currently a UMass undergrad with several friends pursuing a psych major. Have you thought about specifically what kind of psych you would like to pursue? Neuroscience etc. That could be a good starting point to really break down the benefits of each school.
Coming from California, the UC system experiences impaction that many other schools such as UMass may not experience. Undergrad research experience is relatively easy to get into on campus at UMass (with a lot of support to help you find a lab), while those opportunities may not be at UCLA or is more competitive. That being said you will be near a major city which means you can branch out to research away from the immediate UCLA campus.
Obviously, a major issue can be with finances. Compared to UCLA, Amherst has a lower cost of living as well as a plethora of students jobs both on and off campus.
Best of luck on your college decision!
I am a UMASS alum and the science facilities at UMASS are very competitive. This has brought talent and funding to the sciences faculty within the University. To me, your choice should be comprehensive about your overall experience because you can excel at either institution. If you perform in the program(s), you will achieve high placement into PhD or work programs. While the west coast may have more employment options in R&D, the east is also quite well funded and holds it’s fair share of medical opportunities. If you see this is as a regional decision; they are equal. Perhaps UCLA holds an edge globally. That’s my two cents…
Hey, I am actually facing the exact same dilemma. I am an International student. I want to major in Linguistics.I got admitted into Honors Program at Umass Amherst, and I also got into UCLA. Now, UMass has a pretty highly ranked Ling. program, UCLA is good too, but it’s a much better-ranked school overall. While UMass costs me approx 37K, UCLA costs approx 60K ( which is a stretch for my family). I would have to take a loan in order to afford UCLA. Should I just go with UMass ( cause it’s more sense financially), or will I always regret not going with UCLA?
Some ppl above mentioned that graduating from either college won’t affect your future avenues, but there must be a reason that a college like UCLA is ranked not even slightly but way higher than UMass.