University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UMass

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 20,905 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Alabama at Birmingham is located in Birmingham, AL (Midsize City setting); University of Massachusetts Amherst is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1; University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UMass Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 Alabama at Birmingham than UMass ($17,997 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama at Birmingham are 15.2% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($14,170 vs. $16,710).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is 95.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $8,674 more per year; $17,772.00 vs. $9,098.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.3% higher at UMass than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $17,887 more per year; $40,449.00 vs. $22,562.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (90% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students is 18.9% larger than aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students ($13,110 vs. $11,025).

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UMass Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 80 points higher than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1330).
• Incoming UMass students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at University of Alabama at Birmingham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 1210/1450; University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30; University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Alabama at Birmingham - Test optional; UMass - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027; UMass Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at University of Alabama at Birmingham (3.82).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. 17.9% at UMass.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UMass Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham's (45%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($222 vs. $248).
• More UMass graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 52%)

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.