UMass Boston vs Suffolk
When it comes to higher education in Boston, two prominent institutions that often draw comparisons are the University of Massachusetts-Boston and Suffolk University. While both offer a diverse range of academic programs and opportunities, they differ in several key aspects. UMass-Boston, a public research university, boasts a significantly higher acceptance rate and a larger student body, providing a more comprehensive and vibrant campus experience. Suffolk University, on the other hand, is a private institution known for its strong pre-professional programs, smaller class sizes, and a more personalized learning environment. To help you make an informed decision about your academic journey, we've compiled a detailed comparison table highlighting the acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and other essential information for both universities. Explore the table to discover which institution aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.
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![]() Suffolk University |
![]() University of Massachusetts-Boston |
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Overview |
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Location | Boston, Massachusetts | Boston, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 78.0% | 75.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 88.0% | 78.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
|
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 1080 - 1280 | 1060 - 1280 |
ACT range | 23 - 29 | 24 - 30 |
Students submitting SAT score | 19.0% | 21.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 3.0% | 2.0% |
Total number of applicants | 7,501 | 16,383 |
Total number of admissions given out | 6,603 | 12,926 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 982 | 2,246 |
Yield rate | 14.9% | 17.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $66,127 |
In state:
$32,547
Out of state:
$53,009
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Average net price | $32,393 | $17,575 |
Tuition | $41,242 |
In state:
$14,187
Out of state:
$34,649
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$14,850
Meal plan:
$3,646
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Room/dormitory:
$12,304
Meal plan:
$5,830
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $25,670 |
94.0%
Average amount $11,767 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
62.0%
Average amount $5,337 |
56.0%
Average amount $4,888 |
Students taking out private loans |
18.0%
Average amount $16,757 |
4.0%
Average amount $13,299 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
4,227
Men 41.0% Women 59.0% |
12,269
Men 42.0% Women 58.0% |
Graduate students |
2,420
Men 37.1% Women 62.9% |
3,368
Men 33.5% Women 66.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 13.5% | 8.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,570 | 1,077 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New Hampshire Connecticut Rhode Island New York California | Connecticut New York New Hampshire New Jersey California |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 60.3% | 49.0% |
Dropout rate | 11.5% | 21.0% |
Transferred out | 27.7% | 25.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business/Managerial Economics (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Taxation (Master's Degrees)
Marketing (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
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