<p>ILOVEFEDERER, UMass is definitely a lot cheaper for MA residents than UVM, even with max OOS scholarship. I think the area with the buildings around he pond is far from ugly, but all the concrete architecture is not attractive. Go visit on one of the welcome new student days with an open mind. </p>
<p>As far as that Times Ranking goes, it was basically an international poll of reputation. I suspect UMass got some votes that were meant for MIT from people in other countries that were a little hazy on the names. Not that I think UMass is a bad school. My son is there. I was helping him with his calculus class last semester. It was first rate and challenging.</p>