Overview
Founded in 1962 by the Massachusetts legislature and opened in 1970, UMass Chan Medical School (formerly UMass Medical School) was established to expand access to medical education and address physician shortages in the state. Located in Worcester, it rose to global prominence through the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of RNA interference (RNAi) by faculty member Craig Mello, and it consistently ranks among the top public medical schools for primary care education and NIH-funded research. In 2023 the school was renamed in recognition of a landmark gift from Jack and Lisa Chan, reflecting its growing research enterprise and expanding academic programs.
At a Glance
| Type | Public Research |
| Location | Worcester, Massachusetts |
| Founded | 1962 |
| Total students | 1,600 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 3:1 |
| Acceptance rate | 6% |
| Graduation rate | 97% |
| Average starting salary | $65,000 |
Tuition & Costs (estimates)
| In-state tuition | $45,000 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $45,000 |
| Room & board | $16,000 |
| Average financial aid | $35,000 |
| Students receiving aid | 80% |
Admissions
| SAT range | N/A |
| ACT range | N/A |
| Average GPA | 3.70 |
| Regular deadline | December 1 |
Top Programs
- Medicine (MD)
- Biomedical Sciences (PhD)
- Nursing
- RNA Therapeutics
- Clinical & Population Health Research
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current costs, deadlines, and requirements on the university's official website.