UMass Boston: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially University of Massachusetts-Boston · Boston, Massachusetts · Public · Open access · CDS 2023-2024
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2023-2024
- Test-optional
- 20,918
- Applicants
- 17,353
- Admitted83%
- 2,463
- Enrolled
- 14%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Open access83% admittedRanked #202 (tie) in National Universities; Business Programs #176 (tie), Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #82 (tie), Computer Science #127 (tie), Nursing #36 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2023-2024 Common Data Set published by University of Massachusetts-Boston (see the source), read on 2026-06-14.
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Open in College SearchUMass 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.
UMass Boston is a public institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. For the most recent reporting cycle, UMass 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 UMass Boston?
62% of enrolled students at UMass 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 UMass Boston weight in admissions?
UMass Boston reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2023-2024). What the weights mean
Very Important
2- Rigor of secondary school record
- Academic GPA
Important
3- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Character/personal qualities
Considered
6- Standardized test scores
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
- First generation status
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Not Considered
7- Class rank
- Interview
- Alumni/ae relation
- Geographical residence
- State residency
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Level of applicant's interest
SAT and ACT scores UMass 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.
- • UMass Boston is test-optional for all majors, Honors and merit aid; self-reported scores OK, official scores needed if you enroll.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on UMass Boston's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
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 UMass 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, and that is 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 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 86% |
| Average need-based grant | $13,815 |
| Average merit award, no financial need399 first-year students received one | $6,976 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 65% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $27,371 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $60 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for UMass 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 UMass Boston?
These predict outcomes at UMass Boston better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at UMass Boston
The most popular undergraduate programs at UMass 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, UMass 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 UMass Boston safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), UMass 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 UMass Boston?
About 9% of undergraduates at UMass 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 UMass Boston
Common questions parents ask about UMass Boston
What GPA do I need for UMass Boston?
62% of enrolled students at UMass 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 UMass 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 UMass Boston actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at UMass 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 UMass Boston realistic for my child?
UMass 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 UMass Boston?
UMass Boston accepts about 83% of applicants out of roughly 20,918 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is UMass Boston test-optional?
Yes. UMass Boston is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, 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 UMass Boston?
About 51% of students at UMass Boston graduate within six years. 73% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does UMass Boston look for in applicants?
UMass 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 UMass Boston a public or private school, and where is it located?
UMass Boston is a public institution located in Boston, Massachusetts.
What are the most popular majors at UMass Boston?
The largest undergraduate majors at UMass 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 UMass Boston safe? What is its campus crime rate?
UMass 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 UMass Boston?
At UMass 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