University of Massachusetts-Boston: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Boston, Massachusetts · Public · Open access · CDS 2023-2024
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University of Massachusetts-Boston is a public university in Boston, Massachusetts that admits about 83% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $17,707 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 51% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 0.3 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Massachusetts-Boston is a public institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Massachusetts-Boston admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 83%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1180 and an ACT composite around 27. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $17,707 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of Massachusetts-Boston?
62% of enrolled students at University of Massachusetts-Boston had a high school GPA of 3.25 or above, and the average was 3.5, according to its 2023-2024 Common Data Set.
What does University of Massachusetts-Boston weight in admissions?
University of Massachusetts-Boston reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2023-2024). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
- • Recommendations
- • Character/personal qualities
SAT and ACT scores University of Massachusetts-Boston typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 530–640, with an EBRW midpoint near 585. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 22–29. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1090 |
| 50th percentile | 1180 |
| 75th percentile | 1290 |
| % submitting SAT | 28% |
| 25th percentile | 24 |
| 50th percentile | 27 |
| 75th percentile | 30 |
| % submitting ACT | 2% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 16% |
| Top 25% of class | 44% |
| Top 50% of class | 76% |
| % submitting class rank | 23% |
How much does University of Massachusetts-Boston actually cost?
Published tuition is $15,908 for in-state students and $38,125 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $19,128 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $17,707 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 42% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $14,905 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $36,581 |
| Room and board | $17,512 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $17,707 |
| Application fee | $60 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Massachusetts-Boston
| Regular deadline | 2/15 |
| Notification date | 4/30 |
| Reply deadline | Must reply by May 1st (or within 2 weeks if notified thereafter) |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from University of Massachusetts-Boston?
These predict outcomes at University of Massachusetts-Boston better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Massachusetts-Boston
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Massachusetts-Boston, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Psychology, General. Across all programs, University of Massachusetts-Boston confers roughly 1,962 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $94,210 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 483 | $94,210 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 433 | $71,306 |
| Psychology, General | 274 | $55,661 |
| Biology, General | 222 | $67,991 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 170 | $69,810 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 145 | $59,781 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 137 | $85,753 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 98 | $56,110 |
Is University of Massachusetts-Boston safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Massachusetts-Boston disclosed 4 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 0.3 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 1 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Massachusetts-Boston?
About 9% of undergraduates at University of Massachusetts-Boston live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Massachusetts parents ask about
Next steps for University of Massachusetts-Boston
Common questions parents ask about University of Massachusetts-Boston
What GPA do I need for University of Massachusetts-Boston?
62% of enrolled students at University of Massachusetts-Boston had a high school GPA of 3.25 or above, and the average was 3.5, according to its 2023-2024 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Massachusetts-Boston typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 530–640, with an EBRW midpoint near 585. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 22–29.
How much does University of Massachusetts-Boston actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Massachusetts-Boston after grants and scholarships is $17,707 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $15,908 and $38,125 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Massachusetts-Boston realistic for my child?
University of Massachusetts-Boston admits 83% of applicants, so 530–640 SAT Math is target range and below 530 is a reach. Then check the $17,707 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Massachusetts-Boston?
University of Massachusetts-Boston accepts about 83% of applicants out of roughly 20,918 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is University of Massachusetts-Boston test-optional?
Yes. University of Massachusetts-Boston is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at University of Massachusetts-Boston?
About 51% of students at University of Massachusetts-Boston graduate within six years. 73% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of Massachusetts-Boston look for in applicants?
University of Massachusetts-Boston rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Massachusetts-Boston a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Massachusetts-Boston is a public institution located in Boston, Massachusetts.
What are the most popular majors at University of Massachusetts-Boston?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Massachusetts-Boston by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Psychology, General. The school awards about 1,962 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Massachusetts-Boston safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Massachusetts-Boston reported 4 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 0.3 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Massachusetts-Boston?
At University of Massachusetts-Boston, 9% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2023-2024 Common Data Set submitted by University of Massachusetts-Boston, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers