Drexel University vs University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass)
Drexel University and University of Massachusetts-Amherst, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Drexel, a private research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, boasts a 73% acceptance rate and is renowned for its cooperative education program, which seamlessly integrates classroom learning with real-world work experience. UMass-Amherst, a public research university in Amherst, Massachusetts, with an acceptance rate of 71%, excels in research and offers a diverse range of academic programs. While Drexel's student body is predominantly undergraduate, UMass-Amherst has a larger graduate student population. Both universities offer a vibrant campus life, with active student organizations and NCAA Division I sports teams. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two exceptional universities. Explore the table to discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Drexel University |
![]() University of Massachusetts-Amherst |
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Overview |
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Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Amherst, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Quarter | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 90.0% | 91.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 82.6% | 65.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$65
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Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$85
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SAT range | 1210 - 1410 | 1250 - 1460 |
ACT range | 26 - 32 | 28 - 33 |
Students submitting SAT score | 37.0% | 26.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 9.0% | 5.0% |
Total number of applicants | 34,519 | 42,540 |
Total number of admissions given out | 28,522 | 27,877 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,854 | 4,872 |
Yield rate | 10.0% | 17.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $77,478 |
In state:
$32,434
Out of state:
$52,959
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Average net price | $26,076 | $17,291 |
Tuition | $54,766 |
In state:
$15,791
Out of state:
$36,316
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,320
Meal plan:
$6,168
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Room/dormitory:
$7,611
Meal plan:
$5,984
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $33,241 |
86.0%
Average amount $10,662 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
61.0%
Average amount $5,326 |
39.0%
Average amount $5,123 |
Students taking out private loans |
11.0%
Average amount $25,237 |
7.0%
Average amount $15,924 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
14,413
Men 51.2% Women 48.8% |
24,231
Men 48.8% Women 51.2% |
Graduate students |
8,803
Men 36.1% Women 63.9% |
7,814
Men 47.9% Women 52.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 50.5% | N/A |
International students | 9.2% | 11.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 3,667 | 13,582 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Maryland California | New York New Jersey Connecticut California New Hampshire |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 78.2% | 83.7% |
Dropout rate | 21.1% | 5.1% |
Transferred out | N/A | 10.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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