Wesleyan University vs. UMass

Comparable Facts

Compare Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT with University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 4,011 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, CT (Small City setting); University of Massachusetts Amherst is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wesleyan University 8:1; University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1.

Wesleyan University vs. UMass Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wesleyan University or UMass? 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 Amherst than Wesleyan University ($22,948 vs. $23,025).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 15.9% lower than at Wesleyan University ($16,710 vs. $19,872).
• Wesleyan University is 295.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $52,570 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.9% higher at Wesleyan University than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $29,893 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst than at Wesleyan University (81% vs. 42%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wesleyan University students is 403.4% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($65,995 vs. $13,110).

Wesleyan University vs. UMass Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wesleyan University or UMass? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UMass and Wesleyan University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Wesleyan University (1480) is 70 points higher than at UMass (1410).
• Incoming Wesleyan University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 31 at UMass).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Wesleyan University 1415/1540; University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Wesleyan University 33/35; University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wesleyan University - Test optional; UMass - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027; UMass Jan 15, 2027.
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than Wesleyan University (16.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Wesleyan University vs. 17.9% at UMass.

Wesleyan University vs. UMass Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wesleyan University and UMass? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from Wesleyan University earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($17,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($180 vs. $248).
• More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 76%)

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.