Amherst vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with University of Massachusetts Boston in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); University of Massachusetts Boston is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1.

Amherst vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or University of Massachusetts-Boston? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Massachusetts Boston than Amherst ($17,768 vs. $19,049).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 3.9% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($18,390 vs. $19,128).
• Amherst College is 343% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Boston (about $54,572 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $15,908.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.9% higher at Amherst than at University of Massachusetts Boston (about $32,355 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $38,125.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Boston than at Amherst College (88% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 388.5% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students ($68,591 vs. $14,042).

Amherst vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or University of Massachusetts-Boston? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Massachusetts-Boston and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 360 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Boston (1180).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 25 at University of Massachusetts-Boston).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• University of Massachusetts-Boston has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston.

Amherst vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and University of Massachusetts-Boston? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $30,800 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $9,085 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates ($12,975 vs. $22,060).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates ($134 vs. $228).
• More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.