UMass vs. U of R

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than U of R based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 11,946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); University of Rochester is in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; University of Rochester 9:1.

UMass vs. U of R Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass or U of R? 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 U of R ($22,948 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 15.6% lower than at University of Rochester ($16,710 vs. $19,792).
• University of Rochester is 277.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $49,308 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.8% higher at U of R than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $26,631 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst than at University of Rochester (81% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rochester students is 247.1% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($45,500 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. U of R Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass or U of R? 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 U of R and UMass.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 70 points higher than at UMass (1410).
• Incoming U of R students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at UMass).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; University of Rochester 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; University of Rochester 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); U of R - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; U of R Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at U of R (3.75).
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than U of R (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 15.4% at U of R.

UMass vs. U of R Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and U of R? 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 Rochester's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Rochester earn a median of about $15,800 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,000 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($24,000 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($248 vs. $253).
• More U of R graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.