University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than CofC based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 11,926 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Boston is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Boston or CofC? 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 CofC ($17,768 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Charleston are 25.1% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($14,332 vs. $19,128).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is 22.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CofC (about $2,930 more per year; $15,908.00 vs. $12,978.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at CofC than at University of Massachusetts Boston (about $171 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $38,125.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at University of Massachusetts Boston (95% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students is 56.3% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($14,042 vs. $8,983).

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. CofC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 50 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Boston (1180).
• Incoming CofC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at University of Massachusetts-Boston).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027; CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• University of Massachusetts-Boston has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. 11.9% at CofC.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• College of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than CofC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $560 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,060).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates ($222 vs. $228).
• More CofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.