University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Boston is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Boston or Purchase College? 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 Purchase College ($17,768 vs. $18,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 14.1% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($16,436 vs. $19,128).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is 77.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $6,955 more per year; $15,908.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98.5% higher at University of Massachusetts-Boston than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $18,922 more per year; $38,125.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Boston than at SUNY at Purchase College (88% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students is 34.6% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($14,042 vs. $10,432).

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 100 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Boston (1180).
• Incoming Purchase College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 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; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Purchase College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• University of Massachusetts-Boston has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than Purchase College (74%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• SUNY at Purchase College's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $440 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($22,060 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($228 vs. $232).
• More Purchase College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.