UMass vs. Houghton University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Houghton University based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 1,200 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Houghton University is in Houghton, NY (Remote Rural setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Houghton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Houghton University 12:1.

UMass vs. Houghton University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass or Houghton 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 Houghton University than UMass ($21,274 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houghton University are 32% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($11,360 vs. $16,710).
• Houghton University is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $658 more per year; $18,430.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 119.5% higher at UMass than at Houghton University (about $22,019 more per year; $40,449.00 vs. $18,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houghton University than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students is 32.4% larger than aid received by Houghton University students ($13,110 vs. $9,902).

UMass vs. Houghton University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass or Houghton 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 Houghton University and UMass.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 140 points higher than at Houghton University (1270).
• Incoming UMass students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Houghton University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Houghton University 1170/1375.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Houghton University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Houghton University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.74 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Houghton University (3.25).
• Houghton University has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 23.2% at Houghton University.

UMass vs. Houghton University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and Houghton 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).

• Houghton University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than Houghton University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Houghton University graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Houghton University graduates ($248 vs. $263).
• More Houghton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.