UMass vs. SUNY Poly

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than SUNY Poly based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 2,733 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); SUNY Polytechnic Institute is in Utica, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 13:1.

UMass vs. SUNY Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass or SUNY Poly? 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 Polytechnic Institute than UMass ($14,782 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Polytechnic Institute are 0.8% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($16,584 vs. $16,710).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is 106.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Poly (about $9,147 more per year; $17,772.00 vs. $8,625.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.7% higher at UMass than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (about $19,234 more per year; $40,449.00 vs. $21,215.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Polytechnic Institute than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students is 56.9% larger than aid received by SUNY Polytechnic Institute students ($13,110 vs. $8,357).

UMass vs. SUNY Poly Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass or SUNY Poly? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SUNY Poly and UMass.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 210 points higher than at SUNY Poly (1200).
• Incoming UMass students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (31 vs. 26 at SUNY Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 1025/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; SUNY Poly - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; SUNY Poly Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UMass students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at SUNY Poly (3.7).
• SUNY Poly has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 8.7% at SUNY Poly.

UMass vs. SUNY Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and SUNY Poly? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Massachusetts Amherst's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than SUNY Polytechnic Institute's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than SUNY Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $53,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates have a $7,415 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($16,585 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Poly graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($171 vs. $248).
• More UMass graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Poly students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 63%)

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.