University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. SUNY Cortland

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Boston in Boston, MA with State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than SUNY Cortland based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 6,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Boston is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); State University of New York at Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. SUNY Cortland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Boston or SUNY Cortland? 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 SUNY Cortland ($17,768 vs. $19,847).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 18.7% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($15,560 vs. $19,128).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is 79.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $7,034 more per year; $15,908.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103% higher at University of Massachusetts-Boston than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $19,341 more per year; $38,125.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Boston than at State University of New York at Cortland (88% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students is 70.1% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($14,042 vs. $8,254).

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. SUNY Cortland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Boston (1180) is 10 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Boston students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290; State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29; State University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional; SUNY Cortland - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Cortland students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• University of Massachusetts-Boston has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. SUNY Cortland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• State University of New York at Cortland's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $560 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,060).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates ($222 vs. $228).
• More SUNY Cortland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.