Capella vs UMass Global

Capella University and University of Massachusetts Global, both offering flexible online learning, present distinct characteristics that cater to diverse student needs. Capella, with an acceptance rate of 100%, welcomes a larger student body, while UMass Global, with a 98% acceptance rate, maintains a slightly smaller student population. Capella's student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of female and minority students, while UMass Global's student body is predominantly male. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with Capella focusing on business, nursing, and education, and UMass Global emphasizing business, information technology, and social sciences. While Capella boasts a higher graduation rate, UMass Global offers lower tuition fees. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal circumstances.

	University of Massachusetts Global	Capella University
Overview
Location	Irvine, California	Minneapolis, Minnesota
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (For Profit)
Calendar system	Trimester	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	19.0%	60.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	92.9%	Open Admission
Application fees		Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	168
Total number of admissions given out	156
Admitted students who chose to enroll	76
Yield rate	48.7%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A
High school GPA	Required	N/A
Recommendation letters	Not required	N/A
High school transcript	Not required	N/A
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	N/A

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$35,619	$21,572
Average net price	$26,346	$17,840
Tuition	$12,000	$14,148
Room & board
Available payment plans		Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	69.0% Average amount $3,441	100.0% Average amount $3,202
Students receiving federal student loan	20.0% Average amount $8,224	100.0% Average amount $7,943
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $6,000	0.0% Average amount $0

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	5,237 Men 33.3% Women 66.7%	12,383 Men 19.2% Women 80.8%
Graduate students	4,561 Men 25.0% Women 75.0%	26,333 Men 17.0% Women 83.0%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	67.1%	N/A
International students	0.1%	0.6%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	N/A	N/A
First year students are required to live on campus?	N/A	N/A
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Washington Pennsylvania Texas Arizona	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Education Psychology Liberal Arts Health Professions	Health Professions Psychology Business Education Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	22:1	32:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	N/A	50.0%
Dropout rate	N/A	50.0%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $127,406 Year 2: $125,388 Year 3: $133,153 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,122 Year 2: $85,760 Year 3: $88,759 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $77,168 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $81,714 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,219 Year 2: $78,029 Year 3: $79,716 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,798 Year 2: $71,144 Year 3: $75,615 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,172 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $71,709 Human Resources Management and Services (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $61,770 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $67,594 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,796 Year 2: $58,943 Year 3: $64,321 Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,794 Year 2: $51,273 Year 3: $57,825 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,565 Year 2: $56,302 Year 3: $56,092	Management Information Systems and Services (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $127,993 Year 3: $128,733 Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $106,301 Year 2: $111,435 Year 3: $119,533 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $114,251 Year 2: $102,409 Year 3: $109,147 Homeland Security (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $101,964 Year 3: $107,926 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $85,861 Year 2: $101,072 Year 3: $106,574 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $104,654 Year 2: $99,886 Year 3: $100,616 Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,456 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $96,294 Business/Commerce, General (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $90,971 Year 2: $89,170 Year 3: $95,852 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $85,010 Year 2: $93,816 Year 3: $92,845 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,425 Year 2: $88,678 Year 3: $92,470

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary differences between Capella University and University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global)?

Capella University and UMass Global both cater to online learners, but they differ in their approach. Capella is known for its competency-based education (CBE) options, allowing students to progress based on demonstrated skills rather than seat time. UMass Global, while offering flexible online programs, generally follows a more traditional semester-based structure. UMass Global also benefits from the established reputation of the University of Massachusetts system, while Capella is a for-profit institution.
Which university offers more degree programs?

Both universities offer a wide range of degree programs. However, UMass Global, as part of the University of Massachusetts system, tends to have a broader selection, particularly at the undergraduate level. Capella University is strong in graduate programs, especially in fields like business, counseling, and technology.
How does the tuition cost compare between Capella University and UMass Global?

Tuition costs can vary depending on the specific program and degree level. Generally, Capella University's tuition is structured around its learning format, which can be more cost-effective for self-paced learners. UMass Global's tuition is typically based on credit hours. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition information for your specific program of interest.
What is the learning format like at Capella University versus UMass Global?

Capella University offers both guided path and flex path options. The flex path option allows students to set their own pace and complete assessments when ready, demonstrating competency. UMass Global primarily uses a more structured online learning environment with set deadlines and weekly assignments, similar to a traditional college course.
What kind of student support services are available at each university?

Both Capella University and UMass Global provide comprehensive student support services. These include academic advising, career services, library resources, technical support, and disability services. UMass Global, being part of a larger university system, may offer access to a wider network of alumni and resources.
How is the faculty structured at Capella University and UMass Global?

Both universities employ qualified faculty with relevant experience in their respective fields. Capella University often utilizes faculty with practical, real-world experience to align with its competency-based approach. UMass Global faculty typically hold advanced degrees and have experience in both academic and professional settings.
What are the accreditation statuses of Capella University and UMass Global?

Both Capella University and UMass Global are regionally accredited, which is crucial for the transferability of credits and the recognition of your degree by employers. Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). UMass Global is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Which university is better for working adults?

Both universities are designed to cater to working adults. Capella University's competency-based options can be particularly appealing to those who want to accelerate their learning based on existing knowledge. UMass Global's structured online courses provide a predictable schedule that can be easier to manage for some working professionals.
What are the technology requirements for online learning at each university?

Both Capella University and UMass Global require students to have access to a reliable computer with internet access. Specific software requirements may vary depending on the program. Check the university websites for detailed technology specifications.
How do the career services compare between Capella University and UMass Global?

Both universities offer career services to help students with job searching, resume writing, and interview skills. UMass Global, with its connection to the University of Massachusetts system, may have a larger alumni network and more established relationships with employers in certain regions. Capella University focuses on aligning its programs with industry needs and providing career-focused resources.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.