UMass vs. MIT

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than MIT based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 11,886 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Massachusetts Institute of Technology is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1.

UMass vs. MIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass or MIT? 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology than UMass ($20,996 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 17.6% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($16,710 vs. $20,280).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is 251.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $44,624 more per year; $62,396.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.3% higher at MIT than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $21,947 more per year; $62,396.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (81% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is 370.9% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($61,734 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. MIT Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass or MIT? 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 MIT and UMass.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 140 points higher than at UMass (1410).
• Incoming MIT students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 31 at UMass).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); MIT - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; MIT Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at MIT (3.96).
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 85.8% at MIT.

UMass vs. MIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and MIT? 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).

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $86,900 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $6,684 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($17,316 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($179 vs. $248).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.