Boston University vs University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Boston University is a private university in Boston, MA. University of Massachusetts-Amherst is a public university in Amherst, MA. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants and University of Massachusetts-Amherst about 60%, making Boston University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $22,383 a year at University of Massachusetts-Amherst after aid, and about $24,402 at Boston University. About 89% of students graduate at Boston University, compared with 83% at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Ten years after enrolling, Boston University alumni earn a median of about $83,238, against $71,631 for University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Boston University or University of Massachusetts-Amherst harder to get into?
- Boston University is harder to get into. It admits about 11% of applicants, compared with 60% at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Boston University or University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst is cheaper on average. Students pay about $22,383 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $24,402 at Boston University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Boston University and University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
- Before aid, University of Massachusetts-Amherst costs about $34,549 a year and Boston University about $86,285. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Boston University or University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
- Boston University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,500 there, against about $10,164 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Boston University or University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst is the larger of the two, with about 23,671 undergraduates against 18,248 at Boston University.
- Does Boston University or University of Massachusetts-Amherst have a better graduation rate?
- Boston University has the higher graduation rate, at about 89% against 83% at University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
- Do graduates of Boston University or University of Massachusetts-Amherst earn more?
- Boston University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $83,238 ten years after enrolling, against about $71,631 for University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Boston University and University of Massachusetts-Amherst require SAT or ACT scores?
- Boston University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. University of Massachusetts-Amherst is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Boston University and University of Massachusetts-Amherst look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1420–1530 at Boston University and 1310–1500 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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