University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Boston is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Boston or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes Barre than University of Massachusetts-Boston ($16,621 vs. $17,768).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Wilkes Barre are 20.1% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($15,274 vs. $19,128).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is 11.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $1,628 more per year; $15,908.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.8% higher at University of Massachusetts-Boston than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $14,119 more per year; $38,125.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Wilkes Barre than at University of Massachusetts Boston (89% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students is 44.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($14,042 vs. $9,742).

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Wilkes Barre (1210) is 30 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Boston (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290; Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• 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; Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than University of Massachusetts-Boston (83.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

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

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Boston and Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Wilkes Barre's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from Penn State Wilkes Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre graduates ($228 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Wilkes-Barre 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.