How good is UMass, Amherst, for an MS in computer science?

"Safety School" undergraduate reputations apply onlyto the schools' undergraduate programs.  UMass Amherst has an excellent Computer Science program at the post-bac level.  However, much of your success in graduate school and beyond will depend on your research advisor, group and thesis project.  At the master's degree level you want to balance the overall quality of the faculty against the reputation of the research groups and advisors that most interest you.  Since a master's is not a terminal degree also consider whether there are the right mix of interesting research projects available if you decide to continue on for the PhD. Funding should also be a factor.  I would not recommend paying for a PhD in a high demand technical field like computer science - you should get a free ride.  At the Master's level fellowships and assistantships are not as prevalent, but they do exist (mostly Teaching assistantships) and they're good to get.  In a heavy-duty PhD program like UMass Amherst, you will be competing with people who have declared an interest in a PhD and qualified for the PhD program.  Most faculty members will choose a PhD student before a Master's-only student for plum projects.  The PhD candidates are also going to get higher priority for assistantships (especially research assistants) and fellowships.  So, if you are really looking to get a Master's as your highest degree, you might also want to look at good programs and faculty in schools that do not offer a PhD.