Fitchburg State vs. UMass

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Fitchburg State based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 5,892 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); University of Massachusetts Amherst is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1.

Fitchburg State vs. UMass Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or UMass? 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 Fitchburg State University than UMass ($15,340 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 7.5% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($15,452 vs. $16,710).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is 56.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $6,426 more per year; $17,772.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 132.1% higher at UMass than at Fitchburg State University (about $23,023 more per year; $40,449.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fitchburg State University than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (92% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students is 13.6% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($13,110 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. UMass Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or UMass? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UMass and Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 260 points higher than at Fitchburg State (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; UMass - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UMass students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 17.9% at UMass.

Fitchburg State vs. UMass Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and UMass? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Massachusetts Amherst's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $1,315 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($22,685 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($234 vs. $248).
• More UMass graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 65%)

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.