UMass vs. Drexel

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Drexel based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 21,153 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Drexel University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Drexel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Drexel University 9:1.

UMass vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass or Drexel? 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 Drexel ($22,948 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 7.7% lower than at Drexel University ($16,710 vs. $18,096).
• Drexel University is 251.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $44,640 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.3% higher at Drexel than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $21,963 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drexel University students is 167.4% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($35,051 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 70 points higher than at Drexel (1340).
• Incoming UMass students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (31 vs. 29 at Drexel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Drexel University 1240/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Drexel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UMass students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Drexel (3.67).
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

UMass vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and Drexel? 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.

• Drexel University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $22,200 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $2,243 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,243).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($248 vs. $271).
• More Drexel graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 76%)

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.