UMass vs. Northeastern

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern University is larger than UMass based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 31,726 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Northeastern University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Northeastern University 16:1.

UMass vs. Northeastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass or Northeastern? 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 Northeastern ($22,948 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 14.7% lower than at Northeastern University ($16,710 vs. $19,580).
• Northeastern University is 272.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $48,390 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.6% higher at Northeastern than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $25,713 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst than at Northeastern University (81% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University students is 284.6% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($50,421 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. Northeastern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern University (1490) is 80 points higher than at UMass (1410).
• Incoming Northeastern students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at UMass).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Northeastern University 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Northeastern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Northeastern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Northeastern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Northeastern (3.91).
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 53.8% at Northeastern.

UMass vs. Northeastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and Northeastern? 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).

• Northeastern University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from Northeastern University earn a median of about $14,300 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,500 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $3,875 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($248 vs. $288).
• More Northeastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.