University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Arcadia

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 3,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Boston is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Arcadia University is in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1; Arcadia University 10:1.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Boston or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia ($17,768 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arcadia University are 10.2% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($17,180 vs. $19,128).
• Arcadia University is 211.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Boston (about $33,702 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $15,908.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.1% higher at Arcadia than at University of Massachusetts Boston (about $11,485 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $38,125.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arcadia University than at University of Massachusetts Boston (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 147.2% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students ($34,705 vs. $14,042).

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Arcadia Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Boston (1180) is 10 points higher than at Arcadia (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290; Arcadia University 1065/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional; Arcadia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Arcadia students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• University of Massachusetts-Boston has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than Arcadia (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. 7.4% at Arcadia.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Boston and Arcadia? 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).

• Arcadia University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Arcadia graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $4,940 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($22,060 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($228 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.