UMass vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

UMass vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass or Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College than UMass ($18,211 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 1.6% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($16,436 vs. $16,710).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is 98.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $8,819 more per year; $17,772.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 110.6% higher at UMass than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $21,246 more per year; $40,449.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst than at SUNY at Purchase College (81% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students is 25.7% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($13,110 vs. $10,432).

UMass vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 130 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming UMass students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.62 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

UMass vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and Purchase 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).

• University of Massachusetts Amherst's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($22,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($232 vs. $248).
• More UMass graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 65%)

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.