University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. WPI

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than WPI based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 7,584 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. WPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Boston or WPI? 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 WPI ($17,768 vs. $47,372).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Worcester Polytechnic Institute are 3.9% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($18,386 vs. $19,128).
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute is 283.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Boston (about $45,057 more per year; $60,965.00 vs. $15,908.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.9% higher at WPI than at University of Massachusetts Boston (about $22,840 more per year; $60,965.00 vs. $38,125.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Worcester Polytechnic Institute than at University of Massachusetts Boston (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Worcester Polytechnic Institute students is 124.6% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students ($31,545 vs. $14,042).

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. WPI Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional; WPI - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027; WPI Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WPI students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• University of Massachusetts-Boston has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than WPI (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. 18.1% at WPI.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. WPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $31,500 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,700 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $4,940 lower median loan debt than WPI graduates ($22,060 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WPI graduates ($228 vs. $279).
• More WPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.