University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Boston in Boston, MA with University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 10,619 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Boston is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Boston or USD? 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 USD ($17,768 vs. $19,133).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 45.9% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($10,356 vs. $19,128).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is 68.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $6,476 more per year; $15,908.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 194.6% higher at University of Massachusetts-Boston than at University of South Dakota (about $25,183 more per year; $38,125.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Boston than at University of South Dakota (88% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students is 149.7% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($14,042 vs. $5,623).

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. USD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 40 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Boston (1180).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Boston students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than University of Massachusetts-Boston (83.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. 24.1% at USD.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of South Dakota's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than USD graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $2,940 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($22,060 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($228 vs. $258).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.