UMass vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than University of Massachusetts-Boston based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 15,575 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); University of Massachusetts Boston is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1.

UMass vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass or University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 Boston than UMass ($17,768 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 12.6% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($16,710 vs. $19,128).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is 11.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Boston (about $1,864 more per year; $17,772.00 vs. $15,908.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.1% higher at UMass than at University of Massachusetts Boston (about $2,324 more per year; $40,449.00 vs. $38,125.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Boston than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (88% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students is 7.1% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($14,042 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass or University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 University of Massachusetts-Boston and UMass.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 230 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Boston (1180).
• Incoming UMass students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at University of Massachusetts-Boston).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• University of Massachusetts-Boston has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston.

UMass vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $1,940 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($22,060 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($228 vs. $248).
• More UMass graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 58%)

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.