UMass vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, MA with Wheaton College (Massachusetts) in Norton, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 1,785 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is in Norton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 11:1.

UMass vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) ($22,948 vs. $30,701).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) are 3.1% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($16,200 vs. $16,710).
• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is 259.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $46,188 more per year; $63,960.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.1% higher at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $23,511 more per year; $63,960.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students is 271.2% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($48,666 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) and UMass.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 100 points higher than at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (1310).
• Incoming UMass students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 31) as students at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 1220/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UMass students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (3.48).
• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) has a higher acceptance rate (67.7%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 12.9% at Wheaton College (Massachusetts).

UMass vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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.

• Wheaton College (Massachusetts)'s six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates ($248 vs. $268).
• More Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 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.