University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Boston in Boston, MA with West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than University of Massachusetts-Boston based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 15,575 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Boston is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Boston or WCU? 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 WCU ($17,768 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 22.5% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($14,828 vs. $19,128).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is 47.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $5,133 more per year; $15,908.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.7% higher at University of Massachusetts-Boston than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $15,526 more per year; $38,125.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Boston than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (88% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students is 146% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($14,042 vs. $5,709).

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 10 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Boston (1180).
• Incoming WCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 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; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• University of Massachusetts-Boston has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. 22.4% at WCU.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $1,440 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($22,060 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($228 vs. $242).
• More WCU 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.