Academic Comparison between Harvard and UMass Amherst

Harvard University and University of Massachusetts-Amherst are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Harvard is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Cambridge, MA and UMass Amherst is a four-year, public school located in Amherst, MA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Harvard is a private (not-for-profit) and UMass Amherst is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Harvard has more expensive tuition & fees ($59,076) than UMass Amherst ($39,293).
  • It is harder to admit to Harvard than UMass Amherst.
  • Harvard has a higher submitted SAT score (1,550) than UMass Amherst (1,390).
  • Harvard has higher submitted ACT score (35) than UMass Amherst (31).
  • UMass Amherst has more students with 32,229 students while Harvard has 30,631 students.
  • Harvard has a lower number of students per faculty with 7 to 1 while UMass Amherst's ratio is 18 to 1.
  • Harvard has more full-time faculties with 2,120 faculties while UMass Amherst has 1,452 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Harvard Universityvs.University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Cambridge, MassachusettsLocationAmherst, Massachusetts
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
$59,0762024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$17,357
Out-Of-State$39,293
46%% Receiving Financial Aid77%
$55,433Average Amount of Financial Aid$11,636
3.00 %Acceptance Rates58.00 %
84.02 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)18.00 %
1,550SAT Score1,390
35ACT Score31
97 %Graduation Rate83 %
-Transfer-out Rate11 %
98 %Retention Rate90 %
30,631Student Population32,229
2,120Number of Faculties1,452
7 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio18 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare
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