UMass vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, MA with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Jefferson based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 8,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

UMass vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass or Jefferson? 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 Jefferson ($22,948 vs. $29,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Jefferson University are 5.2% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($15,834 vs. $16,710).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 167.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $29,733 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.4% higher at Jefferson than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $7,056 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 167% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($35,007 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 160 points higher than at Jefferson (1250).
• Incoming UMass students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at Jefferson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Jefferson (3.73).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

UMass vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and Jefferson? 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $67,700 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $11,500 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($12,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $119 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($129 vs. $248).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.