University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Wellesley

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 2,407 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Boston is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Wellesley College is in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1; Wellesley College 7:1.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Wellesley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Boston or Wellesley? 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 Wellesley ($17,768 vs. $22,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Boston are 9% lower than at Wellesley College ($19,128 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 322.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Boston (about $51,268 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $15,908.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.2% higher at Wellesley than at University of Massachusetts Boston (about $29,051 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $38,125.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Boston than at Wellesley College (88% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 356.6% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students ($64,116 vs. $14,042).

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Wellesley Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Massachusetts-Boston or Wellesley? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Wellesley and University of Massachusetts-Boston.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 330 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Boston (1180).
• Incoming Wellesley students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 25 at University of Massachusetts-Boston).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290; Wellesley College 1460/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29; Wellesley College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional; Wellesley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Wellesley students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• University of Massachusetts-Boston has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. 47.6% at Wellesley.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Wellesley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Boston and Wellesley? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $16,900 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $13,160 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates ($8,900 vs. $22,060).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $136 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates ($92 vs. $228).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.