USF vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than USF based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 8,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of San Francisco is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); University of Massachusetts Boston is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of San Francisco 11:1; University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1.

USF vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF or University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 USF ($17,768 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Boston are 3.2% lower than at University of San Francisco ($19,128 vs. $19,764).
• University of San Francisco is 280.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Boston (about $44,584 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $15,908.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.7% higher at USF than at University of Massachusetts Boston (about $22,367 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $38,125.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at University of Massachusetts Boston (95% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 147.3% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students ($34,723 vs. $14,042).

USF vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of San Francisco (1290) is 110 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Boston (1180).
• Incoming USF students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at University of Massachusetts-Boston).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of San Francisco 1190/1390; University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of San Francisco 25/30; University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF - Test optional; University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Jan 15, 2027; University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USF students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• University of Massachusetts-Boston has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than USF (61.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6% at USF vs. 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston.

USF vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of San Francisco's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $19,200 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $2,940 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($22,060 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($228 vs. $258).
• More USF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.