UMass vs. RIT

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than RIT based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 17,098 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Rochester Institute of Technology is in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1.

UMass vs. RIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass or RIT ? 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 RIT ($22,948 vs. $39,534).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 3.4% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($16,142 vs. $16,710).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is 233.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $41,502 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.5% higher at RIT than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $18,825 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (98% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students is 167.6% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($35,077 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. RIT Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 30 points higher than at RIT (1380).
• Incoming UMass students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at RIT (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; RIT - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; RIT Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at RIT (3.7).
• RIT has a higher acceptance rate (66.9%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 16.3% at RIT .

UMass vs. RIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and RIT ? 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 Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,900 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($24,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($248 vs. $289).
• More UMass graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 75%)

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.