Academic Comparison between UMass Amherst and BC

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

  • UMass Amherst is a public and BC is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • BC has more expensive tuition & fees ($67,680) than UMass Amherst ($39,293).
  • It is harder to admit to BC than UMass Amherst.
  • BC has a higher submitted SAT score (1,390) than UMass Amherst (1,390).
  • BC has higher submitted ACT score (31) than UMass Amherst (31).
  • UMass Amherst has more students with 32,229 students while BC has 15,287 students.
  • BC has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while UMass Amherst's ratio is 18 to 1.
  • UMass Amherst has more full-time faculties with 1,452 faculties while BC has 882 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of Massachusetts-Amherstvs.Boston College
Amherst, MassachusettsLocationChestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$17,357
Out-Of-State$39,293
2024 Tuition & Fees$67,680
77%% Receiving Financial Aid44%
$11,636Average Amount of Financial Aid$47,075
58.00 %Acceptance Rates16.00 %
18.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)41.00 %
1,390SAT Score1,490
31ACT Score34
83 %Graduation Rate90 %
11 %Transfer-out Rate6 %
90 %Retention Rate95 %
32,229Student Population15,287
1,452Number of Faculties882
18 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio12 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 services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare
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