History
UMass Dartmouth traces its roots to 1895, when the state legislature chartered two textile schools: New Bedford Textile School and the Bradford Durfee Textile School.
As the region’s economic base shifted from textiles to more diverse manufacturing and service industries, the colleges changed, too. They diversified their curricula, responding to the needs of new generations of students.
Education
Invent your future at UMass Dartmouth. Pursue innovative and inspiring educational opportunities, with more than 100 subject areas at the bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral levels, including the Juris Doctor degree at UMass Law.
Research
UMass Dartmouth cultivates a vital and vibrant culture of research, scholarship, and innovation that reflects:
- the expertise of our faculty, staff, and students
- the strength of our academic programs
- and the needs of our region, the Commonwealth, and the global community
Career
We offer a wide range of career planning services to help you develop a successful future.
- Career Counseling: Our professional career counselors are available by private appointment. We can provide assistance and advisement as you develop your job search and professional skills.
- Career Events: We present career fairs and panels throughout the year, providing opportunities for you to meet employers, apply for positions, and develop your network
Student services
Student Affairs is an integral part of your educational process and offers programs and services to help you achieve your full potential at UMass Dartmouth.
The Division of Student Affairs continues to be available to assist students during the transition to and throughout this period of online modality.
Housing services
Each of the first-year halls is staffed with a live-in Lead Coordinator (LC) and 17 resident assistants (RAs, who are upper-level students). All first-year halls are five stories high.
Each room is furnished with:
- bedframes with extra-long twin mattress
- desks and chairs
- closets and dressers
And is equipped with:
- cable TV
Each of the first-year halls also offers
- multi-purpose rooms with study and recreational space
- laundry room
Library services
As the largest information center in southeastern Massachusetts the Library will support the academic programs, and cooperate with extracurricular activities and community organizations to the extent material and human resources allow, to carry out the University of Massachusetts mission to support access, excellence, innovation, economic development, public service and quality of life.
ICT services
As a new student at UMass Dartmouth, you'll want to use email, Internet, print, and digital library services as soon as possible. UMass Dartmouth’s Computing and Information Technology Services (CITS) provides access to these essential resources and offers help when you need it.
Medical services
We can evaluate and treat most problems, such as:
- sore throats
- the flu
- coughs and colds
- skin problems
- gyn problems/birth control
- orthopedic injuries
- stress issues
Campus life
Our campus was built with space to spare. Woods, ponds, trails, up-to-date athletic facilities, and a brand new campus quad. UMass Dartmouth is just off Interstate 195, on the beautiful SouthCoast—home to quaint New England towns and thriving, opportunity-rich cities.
Student clubs
Being a student at UMassD iS about working hard, but it's also about having fun. Find out what's happening on campus.
20 Cent Fiction
- African Students Associations
- Alpha Sigma Tau
- Animation Club
- Black Law Student Association
- Chess Federation
- Dance Team
- Figure Drawing Club
- Gaming Society
- Graphic Design Club
- History Club
- Illustration Club
- Krav Maga
- Law Review Club
- and many more...
Accreditation
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth has been accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) since 1963; this accreditation encompasses the entire institution.
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Overview
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 13.1% United States
Top 10.3% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
Best Global Universities Rankings
1279
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 11 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1046 | 1268 | 1279 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
No 2026 Ranking
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 123 | 84 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
United States Country
New York City City
#2 Branch Campus
United States Country
Dartmouth City
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Student Reviews & Awards
4
Based on 4 reviews
- 5 Star 1 Review
- 4 Star 2 Reviews
- 3 Star 1 Review
- 2 Star 0 Reviews
- 1 Star 0 Reviews
UMass Dartmouth
I found the highlight of my time at UMass Dartmouth to be in the academic experience. Every course felt fully fledged, like very extensive and engaging. The campus is in a slightly remote area but if that's not an issue then it is an amazing place. A great experience for the price
Good and recommended
The admission process was smooth. So far now I've attended the orientation which was very helpful and informative. The staff and teachers are helpful.
Financial constraints to obtaining my Masters
I love the fact that I was given the admission. The admission process was very easy and straight forward, also, I was able to defer it which I thought would be impossible and the curriculum cum the lecturers were top-notch.
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