UIC vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than University of Massachusetts-Boston based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 15,575 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Massachusetts Boston is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1.

UIC vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC 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 Illinois Chicago than University of Massachusetts-Boston ($10,852 vs. $17,768).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Chicago are 13.7% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($16,500 vs. $19,128).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is 10.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIC (about $1,570 more per year; $15,908.00 vs. $14,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.6% higher at University of Massachusetts-Boston than at University of Illinois Chicago (about $8,241 more per year; $38,125.00 vs. $29,884.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Boston than at University of Illinois Chicago (88% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students is 19.3% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students ($16,755 vs. $14,042).

UIC vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC 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 UIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 60 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Boston (1180).
• Incoming UIC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at University of Massachusetts-Boston).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027; University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UIC students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• University of Massachusetts-Boston has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than UIC (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston.

UIC vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC 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).

• University of Illinois Chicago's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $3,310 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates ($18,750 vs. $22,060).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates ($193 vs. $228).
• More UIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.