University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Penn State Abington

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than Penn State Abington based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 2,885 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Boston is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Penn State Abington is in Abington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Abington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1; Penn State Abington 14:1.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Penn State Abington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Boston or Penn State Abington? 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 Penn State Abington ($17,768 vs. $19,232).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Abington are 24.3% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($14,474 vs. $19,128).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is 4.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Abington (about $640 more per year; $15,908.00 vs. $15,268.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.6% higher at University of Massachusetts-Boston than at Penn State Abington (about $12,461 more per year; $38,125.00 vs. $25,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Boston than at Penn State Abington (88% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students is 42.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Abington students ($14,042 vs. $9,883).

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Penn State Abington Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Boston (1180) is 10 points higher than at Penn State Abington (1170).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Boston students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Penn State Abington (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290; Penn State Abington 1070/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29; Penn State Abington 23/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional; Penn State Abington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Abington students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• Penn State Abington has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than University of Massachusetts-Boston (83.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. 11.2% at Penn State Abington.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Penn State Abington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Boston and Penn State Abington? 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).

• Penn State Abington's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from Penn State Abington earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $4,758 lower median loan debt than Penn State Abington graduates ($22,060 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Abington graduates ($228 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Abington 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.