UMass vs. State University of New York at New Paltz

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, MA with State University of New York at New Paltz in New Paltz, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than State University of New York at New Paltz based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 7,898 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); State University of New York at New Paltz is in New Paltz, NY (Town Fringe setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at New Paltz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; State University of New York at New Paltz 16:1.

UMass vs. State University of New York at New Paltz Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass or State University of New York at New Paltz? 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 State University of New York at New Paltz than UMass ($18,051 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at New Paltz are 0.2% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($16,684 vs. $16,710).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is 107.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than State University of New York at New Paltz (about $9,200 more per year; $17,772.00 vs. $8,572.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 114.9% higher at UMass than at State University of New York at New Paltz (about $21,627 more per year; $40,449.00 vs. $18,822.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst than at State University of New York at New Paltz (81% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students is 30% larger than aid received by State University of New York at New Paltz students ($13,110 vs. $10,087).

UMass vs. State University of New York at New Paltz Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass or State University of New York at New Paltz? 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 State University of New York at New Paltz and UMass.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 150 points higher than at State University of New York at New Paltz (1260).
• Incoming UMass students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at State University of New York at New Paltz).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; State University of New York at New Paltz 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; State University of New York at New Paltz 25/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; State University of New York at New Paltz - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; State University of New York at New Paltz Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at State University of New York at New Paltz (3.6).
• State University of New York at New Paltz has a higher acceptance rate (61.6%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 10.7% at State University of New York at New Paltz.

UMass vs. State University of New York at New Paltz Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and State University of New York at New Paltz? 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).

• State University of New York at New Paltz's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than State University of New York at New Paltz graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at New Paltz graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($19,000 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, State University of New York at New Paltz graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($196 vs. $248).
• More UMass graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former State University of New York at New Paltz 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.