UMass vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, MA with Penn State Wilkes Barre in Dallas, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

UMass vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes Barre than UMass ($16,621 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Wilkes Barre are 8.6% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($15,274 vs. $16,710).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is 24.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $3,492 more per year; $17,772.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.5% higher at UMass than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $16,443 more per year; $40,449.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Wilkes Barre than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (89% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students is 34.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($13,110 vs. $9,742).

UMass vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes-Barre and UMass.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 200 points higher than at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

UMass vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Massachusetts Amherst's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Penn State Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Wilkes Barre earn a median of about $100 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $2,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates ($248 vs. $277).
• More UMass graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Wilkes-Barre students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 69%)

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.