UMass vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Providence based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UMass vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass or Providence? 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 Providence ($22,948 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 6.3% lower than at Providence College ($16,710 vs. $17,840).
• Providence College is 257.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $45,778 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.1% higher at Providence than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $23,101 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Providence College than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (83% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Providence College students is 143.1% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($31,873 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. Providence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 90 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Incoming UMass students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Providence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Providence (3.47).
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than Providence (50.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 19.2% at Providence.

UMass vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and Providence? 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).

• Providence College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from Providence College earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,000 vs. $55,200), 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 Providence graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Providence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.