UMass vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Penn based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 29,109 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

UMass vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass or Penn? 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 Penn ($22,948 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 12.9% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($16,710 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 286.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $50,914 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.8% higher at Penn than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $28,237 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst than at University of Pennsylvania (81% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 399.3% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($65,458 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 130 points higher than at UMass (1410).
• Incoming Penn students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (35 vs. 31 at UMass).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UMass students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Penn (3.95).
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 68% at Penn.

UMass vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and Penn? 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 Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $68,400 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $3,367 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($20,633 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($213 vs. $248).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.