University of Massachusetts-Boston
- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $65,865 A
- Top 10% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $17,707 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 84% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 24.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $24.2 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $24.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,641,001.
What The Data Says
-
A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduates earn 62% more than the national college median.
-
Every $1 invested returns $24.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Massachusetts-Boston Matters
University of Massachusetts-Boston is a public research university in Boston, MA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 10% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 11,512
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose University of Massachusetts-Boston
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 84% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1070–1290. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $17,707 a year after grants and scholarships — 3% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $65,865 ten years after enrolling — 62% above the typical college, against $21,974 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.69 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 11,500 students, the University of Massachusetts-Boston serves those looking for a diverse and supportive environment in a vibrant city. It’s a good fit for individuals who are passionate about fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Computer Science & IT, and Biology & Biomedical. The relatively high acceptance rate of 84% means that many students find a place here, making it accessible for a broad range of applicants.
Looking at what happens after graduation, UMass-Boston graduates earn an average of $65,865 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure indicates that students can gain solid financial footing after they leave, though the graduation rate stands at 50%. For many, this means that while some may face challenges, those who persist can find meaningful employment and a path to upward mobility.
When it comes to the practicalities of attending UMass-Boston, the net price after aid is around $17,707, with a median debt of $21,974. For students who thrive here, a significant portion—42%—receive Pell Grants, which can help ease financial burdens. This combination of affordability and community support can be beneficial for those who are determined to succeed in their chosen fields.
Rankings
- #24 Best MBA Programs in Massachusetts
- #26 Best Education Colleges in Massachusetts
- #28 Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts
- #29 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Massachusetts
- #32 Best Psychology Colleges in Massachusetts
- #35 Best Nursing Colleges in Massachusetts
- #35 Best Biology Colleges in Massachusetts
- #39 Best Bachelor's Programs in Massachusetts
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Massachusetts-Boston is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Massachusetts-Boston? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Boston, Massachusetts, University of Massachusetts-Boston admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 84%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,194. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 84%
- Retention Rate
- 70%
- SAT Average
- 1194
- ACT Midpoint
- 27
- SAT Range
- 1070–1290
- ACT Range
- 22–29
- Full-Time Faculty
- 60%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,724
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.80
- First-Gen Students
- 43%
- Applicants
- 19,512
- Admitted
- 15,757
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Massachusetts-Boston? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Massachusetts-Boston is $38,125, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $17,707. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,070 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,974 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $15,908
- Out-of-State
- $38,125
- Avg Net Price
- $17,707
- Median Debt
- $21,974
- Pell Grant Rate
- 42%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 51%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $14,070
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,558
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,663
- Family Income $110K+
- $25,571
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Massachusetts-Boston — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Massachusetts-Boston Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Massachusetts-Boston earn a median of $65,865, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $53,521
- 8 Years
- $64,922
- 10 Years
- $65,865
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.33x
- Earning > $25K
- 71%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (365)
- 25%
- 100% (365)
- 25%
- 100% (365)
- 25%
- 100% (365)
- 25%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Massachusetts-Boston Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Massachusetts-Boston delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $17,707/year ($70,828 total). Graduates earn $65,865 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,711,829 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,641,001 (24.2× your investment). The median debt is $21,974, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 50% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $70,828
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,711,829
- Net Return
- $1,641,001
- ROI Multiple
- 24.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $17,707
- Median Debt
- $21,974
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-9,974,000
Top Programs
The fields University of Massachusetts-Boston awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 16% $55,345 early-career
- Health Professions 15% $84,478 early-career
- Psychology 11% $41,329 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 10% $61,252 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 9% $45,495 early-career
- Social Sciences 8% $53,145 early-career
- Criminal Justice 5% $49,934 early-career
- Education 3% $46,778 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Massachusetts-Boston's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Massachusetts-Boston? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Boston, Massachusetts, University of Massachusetts-Boston admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 84%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,194. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Massachusetts-Boston? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Massachusetts-Boston is $38,125, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $17,707. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,070 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,974 in federal student loans.
Is University of Massachusetts-Boston Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Massachusetts-Boston earn a median of $65,865, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of Massachusetts-Boston? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Massachusetts-Boston. Its economic connectedness score is 1.69, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Massachusetts-Boston.
- University of Massachusetts-LowellLowell, MA · Close peer67% grad $64,874 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato, MN · Close peer54% grad $56,922 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of North DakotaGrand Forks, ND · Close peer62% grad $63,552 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
- University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver, CO · Close peer47% grad $64,270 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Towson UniversityTowson, MD · Close peer69% grad $64,390 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University at AlbanyAlbany, NY · Close peer63% grad $67,979 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Massachusetts-Boston? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Massachusetts-Boston. Its economic connectedness score is 1.69, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note