Over the past decade, the University of Massachusetts has continued its meteoric rise in both reputation and excellence. Since 2010, UMass Amherst has risen to #26 in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges Guide, making it one of the most improved institutions among top-tier public universities in America. UMass Amherst, located in Amherst, Massachusetts, sits on nearly 1,450 acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts, 90 miles from Boston and 175 miles from New York City. The campus provides a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.