UMass vs. City College of New York

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than City College of New York based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 15,544 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); CUNY City College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY City College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; CUNY City College 15:1.

UMass vs. City College of New York Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass or City College of New York? 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 CUNY City College than UMass ($4,664 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 11.3% lower than at CUNY City College ($16,710 vs. $18,840).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is 142.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than City College of New York (about $10,432 more per year; $17,772.00 vs. $7,340.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 164.5% higher at UMass than at CUNY City College (about $25,159 more per year; $40,449.00 vs. $15,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY City College than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (88% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students is 34.3% larger than aid received by CUNY City College students ($13,110 vs. $9,763).

UMass vs. City College of New York Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass or City College of New York? 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 City College of New York and UMass.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 160 points higher than at City College of New York (1250).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; CUNY City College 1070/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; City College of New York - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; City College of New York Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UMass students have a 0.79 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at City College of New York (3.2).
• City College of New York has a higher acceptance rate (60%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 12.3% at City College of New York.

UMass vs. City College of New York Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and City College of New York? 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 CUNY City College's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than City College of New York graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY City College graduates have a $12,600 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($11,400 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, City College of New York graduates have an estimated $131 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($117 vs. $248).
• More UMass graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City College of New York 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.