University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Worcester State University

Deciding between University of Massachusetts Boston and Worcester State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Massachusetts Boston
Worcester State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston Boston, MA
  • Worcester State University Worcester, MA
  • Setting
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston Large City
  • Worcester State University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 15,575
  • Worcester State University 5,745
  • Type
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston Public 4 Year
  • Worcester State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston #438
  • Worcester State University #558
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston -
  • Worcester State University -
  • Status
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston Non-profit
  • Worcester State University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston
  • Worcester State University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston $15,908
  • Worcester State University $11,786
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston $38,125
  • Worcester State University $17,866
  • Room & Board
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston $19,128
  • Worcester State University $14,307
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston $17,768
  • Worcester State University $12,778
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston $14,042
  • Worcester State University $9,464
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 88%
  • Worcester State University 80%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston Calculate
  • Worcester State University Calculate
  • Applied
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 21,262
  • Worcester State University 5,156
  • Admitted
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 17,813
  • Worcester State University 4,537
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 83.8%
  • Worcester State University 88%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 12.3%
  • Worcester State University 16.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 1180
  • Worcester State University 1150
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 25
  • Worcester State University
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 3.35
  • Worcester State University 3.3
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston B+
  • Worcester State University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston Challenging
  • Worcester State University Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston
  • Worcester State University
  • ACT Range
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 22/29
  • Worcester State University
  • SAT Range
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 1070/1290
  • Worcester State University 1026/1283
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston Test optional
  • Worcester State University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027
  • Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 15:1
  • Worcester State University 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston
    • Business (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Worcester State University
    • Business (21%)
    • Psychology (15%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 40%
  • Worcester State University 47%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston $51,200
  • Worcester State University $49,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 58%
  • Worcester State University 66%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston $22,060
  • Worcester State University $20,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston $228
  • Worcester State University $206
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 42%
  • Worcester State University 38%
  • % Women
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 58%
  • Worcester State University 62%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston Very High
  • Worcester State University Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston No
  • Worcester State University No
  • % White
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 36%
  • Worcester State University 71%
  • % Asian
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 12%
  • Worcester State University 4%
  • % Black
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 16%
  • Worcester State University 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 14%
  • Worcester State University 9%
  • % Native American
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 0%
  • Worcester State University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 0%
  • Worcester State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 3%
  • Worcester State University 3%
  • % International
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 12%
  • Worcester State University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 7%
  • Worcester State University 4%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 81%
  • Worcester State University 93%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 11%
  • Worcester State University 6%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston No
  • Worcester State University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston No
  • Worcester State University No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston No
  • Worcester State University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston No
  • Worcester State University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston Yes
  • Worcester State University No
  • Learn More
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston Details
  • Worcester State University Details

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than Worcester State University based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 5,745 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Massachusetts Boston is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Worcester State University is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Worcester State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1; Worcester State University 16:1.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Worcester State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Boston or Worcester State University? 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 Worcester State University than University of Massachusetts-Boston ($12,778 vs. $17,768).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Worcester State University are 25.2% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($14,307 vs. $19,128).
  • University of Massachusetts Boston is 35% more expensive for in-state tuition than Worcester State University (about $4,122 more per year; $15,908.00 vs. $11,786.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 113.4% higher at University of Massachusetts-Boston than at Worcester State University (about $20,259 more per year; $38,125.00 vs. $17,866.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Boston than at Worcester State University (88% vs. 80%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students is 48.4% larger than aid received by Worcester State University students ($14,042 vs. $9,464).

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Worcester State University Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Boston (1180) is 30 points higher than at Worcester State University (1150).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290; Worcester State University 1026/1283.
  • 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; Worcester State University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027; Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Boston students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at Worcester State University (3.3).
  • Worcester State University has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than University of Massachusetts-Boston (83.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. 16.7% at Worcester State University.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Worcester State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Boston and Worcester State University? 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 State University'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 $2,000 more per year than Worcester State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have a $2,060 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,060).
  • Among borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates ($206 vs. $228).
  • More Worcester State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.