About

About University of Massachusetts-Boston

high research activityaccessible admissionshealth sciences focusboston harbor campus

University of Massachusetts-Boston is a public research university in Boston, MA, known for its high research activity, accessible admissions, and health sciences focus. With an acceptance rate of 81%, UMB is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 2,441 students each year. UMB is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1110–1290, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. UMB offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $11,304 per year; the sticker price of $55,993 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

University of Massachusetts-Boston acceptance rate and admitted student profile

accessible for most qualified applicants

81%
Overall Accept Rate
3.50
Typical Admitted GPA
1200
Median Admitted SAT
GPATypical admitted range: 3.00 – 3.75 unweighted

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SATSubmitted score range: 1110 – 1290 (test optional)

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ACTScore range: 24 – 29

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Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to University of Massachusetts-Boston

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Essay Strategy
UMass Boston takes essays seriously, so use your personal statement to connect your goals to the school's urban, diverse, and public-service oriented environment. Show specifically why a university embedded in Boston's communities fits your plans, not just that you want to be in Boston.
Test Score Strategy
UMass Boston is test optional, and with a score below their 75th percentile, you are better off not submitting it so your application is evaluated on your GPA, activities, and essay rather than a number that could pull attention in the wrong direction.

Get a tailored strategy for University of Massachusetts-Boston. Build your free list to unlock personalized advice on submitting test scores and discover your actual admission odds based on your student profile.

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Financial Aid & Cost

What University of Massachusetts-Boston actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Loan-free financial aid: University of Massachusetts-Boston has replaced all loans with grants. For families earning under $75,000, the average net annual cost is $0. University of Massachusetts-Boston's sticker price of ~$56k/year bears almost no resemblance to what most families pay.
Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
0-30kOften $0~$56k/yr~$0 / yr
30k-48kOften $0~$56k/yr~$0 / yr
48k-75kOften $0~$56k/yr~$0 / yr
75k-110k~$56k/yr$20.9k
110k+~$56k/yr$25.6k

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Personalize this page

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

51%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$54k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
17:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
11,094
Undergrad Enrollment
University of Massachusetts-Boston Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch