University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Boston is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Boston or Wilkes? 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 Wilkes ($17,768 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilkes University are 15.5% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($16,166 vs. $19,128).
• Wilkes University is 173.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Boston (about $27,588 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $15,908.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.1% higher at Wilkes than at University of Massachusetts Boston (about $5,371 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $38,125.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at University of Massachusetts Boston (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 101.7% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students ($28,324 vs. $14,042).

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Boston (1180) is 40 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Boston students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Wilkes (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than University of Massachusetts-Boston (83.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wilkes University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $3,940 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($22,060 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($228 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes 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.