Lesley University vs. UMass

Comparable Facts

Compare Lesley University in Cambridge, 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 Lesley University based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 2,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lesley University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); University of Massachusetts Amherst is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lesley University 10:1; University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1.

Lesley University vs. UMass Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lesley University 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 University of Massachusetts Amherst than Lesley University ($22,948 vs. $32,587).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 16.1% lower than at Lesley University ($16,710 vs. $19,920).
• Lesley University is 92.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $16,484 more per year; $34,256.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.1% higher at UMass than at Lesley University (about $6,193 more per year; $40,449.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lesley University students is 46.2% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($19,167 vs. $13,110).

Lesley University vs. UMass Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lesley University or UMass? 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 UMass and Lesley University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lesley University - Test-free; UMass - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.68 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Lesley University (3.31).
• Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Lesley University vs. 17.9% at UMass.

Lesley University vs. UMass Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lesley University and UMass? 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).

• University of Massachusetts Amherst's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Lesley University's (49%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $16,600 more per year than Lesley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $320 lower median loan debt than Lesley University graduates ($24,000 vs. $24,320).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lesley University graduates ($248 vs. $251).
• More UMass graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 63%)

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.