UMass vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, MA with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

UMass vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass or Olin College? 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 Olin College ($22,948 vs. $43,184).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 19.7% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($16,710 vs. $20,810).
• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is 273.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $48,626 more per year; $66,398.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.2% higher at Olin College than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $25,949 more per year; $66,398.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students is 230.2% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($43,290 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (1530) is 120 points higher than at UMass (1410).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Olin College (3.9).
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than Olin College (25.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

UMass vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and Olin College? 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).

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $9,290 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($14,710 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($152 vs. $248).

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.