UMass vs. EC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Elmira College is in Elmira, NY (Small City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Elmira College 11:1.

UMass vs. EC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass or EC? 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 EC ($22,948 vs. $23,682).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 12.9% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($14,550 vs. $16,710).
• Elmira College is 119.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $21,204 more per year; $38,976.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at UMass than at Elmira College (about $1,473 more per year; $40,449.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elmira College students is 119.5% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($28,780 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. EC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 170 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming UMass students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at EC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Elmira College 1090/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Elmira College 26/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; EC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.77 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 12.3% at EC.

UMass vs. EC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and EC? 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 Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More UMass graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 72%)

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.