UMass Boston vs University at Buffalo (UB)

Considering higher education options? Explore the distinct offerings of University of Massachusetts-Boston and University at Buffalo. With acceptance rates of 79% and 63%, respectively, these institutions cater to diverse student populations. UMass-Boston boasts a vibrant urban campus in the heart of Boston, while UB offers a sprawling suburban setting in Amherst. Delve into their popular majors, including Business, Psychology, and Health Sciences at UMass-Boston, and Engineering, Business, and Social Sciences at UB. Discover the unique student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional details in the comprehensive comparison table below, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University at Buffalo	University of Massachusetts-Boston
Overview
Location	Buffalo, New York	Boston, Massachusetts
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	83.0%	75.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	70.1%	78.9%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1180 - 1360	1060 - 1280
ACT range	25 - 31	24 - 30
Students submitting SAT score	29.0%	21.0%
Students submitting ACT score	5.0%	2.0%
Total number of applicants	30,750	16,383
Total number of admissions given out	21,552	12,926
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,309	2,246
Yield rate	20.0%	17.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $30,240 Out of state: $48,160	In state: $32,547 Out of state: $53,009
Average net price	$17,954	$17,575
Tuition	In state: $7,070 Out of state: $24,990	In state: $14,187 Out of state: $34,649
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,952 Meal plan: $6,500	Room/dormitory: $12,304 Meal plan: $5,830
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	71.0% Average amount $8,810	94.0% Average amount $11,767
Students receiving federal student loan	45.0% Average amount $5,071	56.0% Average amount $4,888
Students taking out private loans	8.0% Average amount $13,892	4.0% Average amount $13,299

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	21,467 Men 54.3% Women 45.7%	12,269 Men 42.0% Women 58.0%
Graduate students	10,865 Men 47.5% Women 52.5%	3,368 Men 33.5% Women 66.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	3.2%	N/A
International students	18.3%	8.0%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	7,711	1,077
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York New Jersey Pennsylvania Connecticut Florida	Connecticut New York New Hampshire New Jersey California

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Engineering Computer and Information Science Education Social Sciences	Business Health Professions Education Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	13:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	73.8%	49.0%
Dropout rate	8.7%	21.0%
Transferred out	16.4%	25.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $140,469 Year 2: $159,761 Year 3: $146,042 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $70,533 Year 2: $67,772 Year 3: $132,503 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $95,335 Year 2: $104,510 Year 3: $123,979 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,109 Year 2: $61,020 Year 3: $82,514 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $70,415 Year 2: $68,499 Year 3: $78,884 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,859 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $76,613 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,249 Year 2: $61,078 Year 3: $75,877 Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,773 Year 2: $66,653 Year 3: $75,097 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,581 Year 2: $59,350 Year 3: $74,704 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,797 Year 2: $59,485 Year 3: $72,822	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $112,116 Year 2: $106,814 Year 3: $113,564 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,622 Year 2: $99,439 Year 3: $102,552 Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $80,281 Year 2: $87,815 Year 3: $90,532 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $75,553 Year 2: $74,200 Year 3: $85,172 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,099 Year 2: $72,134 Year 3: $81,557 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,854 Year 2: $71,098 Year 3: $77,768 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,054 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $66,484 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,752 Year 2: $51,551 Year 3: $61,444 Special Education and Teaching (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $59,425 Year 3: $60,766 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $53,984 Year 3: $59,739

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between UMass Boston and University at Buffalo?

UMass Boston is a public research university located in Boston, Massachusetts, known for its urban setting and focus on serving a diverse student body. University at Buffalo, also a public research university, is located in Buffalo, New York, and is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Key differences include location (urban vs. suburban), campus size, and the overall student experience, with UMass Boston offering a more intimate, city-integrated environment and University at Buffalo providing a larger, more traditional campus experience.
Which university is larger, UMass Boston or University at Buffalo?

University at Buffalo is significantly larger than UMass Boston. University at Buffalo has a larger student population, both in terms of undergraduate and graduate students, and a larger campus size. UMass Boston, while still a substantial university, offers a more compact and potentially more personalized academic environment due to its smaller size.
How do the tuition costs compare between UMass Boston and University at Buffalo?

Tuition costs vary depending on residency status. Generally, UMass Boston's in-state tuition is lower for Massachusetts residents compared to University at Buffalo's in-state tuition for New York residents. However, out-of-state tuition at University at Buffalo might be competitive. It's crucial to check the latest tuition rates on each university's official website for the most accurate and up-to-date information, considering any potential fees and room and board expenses.
What academic programs are UMass Boston and University at Buffalo known for?

UMass Boston is recognized for its programs in nursing, education, public policy, and environmental science, leveraging its location in a major metropolitan area. University at Buffalo is known for its strong engineering, computer science, architecture, and health sciences programs. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, but their areas of particular strength differ.
How does the campus environment differ between UMass Boston and University at Buffalo?

UMass Boston offers an urban campus environment, directly integrated into the city of Boston. This provides students with easy access to internships, cultural attractions, and a vibrant city life. University at Buffalo has a more traditional campus setting, with a mix of suburban and campus-centered activities. It offers a more self-contained university experience with extensive on-campus resources and a strong sense of community.
What are the research opportunities like at UMass Boston and University at Buffalo?

Both UMass Boston and University at Buffalo are research universities, offering numerous research opportunities for students. University at Buffalo, being a larger institution with more funding, generally has a broader range of research projects available. UMass Boston, however, provides opportunities to engage in research related to urban issues, environmental challenges, and social justice, often in collaboration with local organizations and institutions.
How does the student body diversity compare between the two universities?

UMass Boston is known for its highly diverse student body, reflecting the demographics of the city of Boston. It actively promotes inclusivity and provides support services for students from various backgrounds. University at Buffalo also has a diverse student population, attracting students from across the United States and internationally. Both universities value diversity, but UMass Boston's commitment to serving a diverse urban population is a defining characteristic.
What kind of student life and extracurricular activities are available at each university?

UMass Boston offers a range of student clubs, organizations, and activities, with a focus on community engagement and social justice. Its location in Boston provides access to a wide array of cultural and entertainment options. University at Buffalo has a more extensive range of student organizations, sports teams, and campus events, typical of a larger university with a more residential campus. Both universities offer opportunities for students to get involved and build community, but the specific offerings and overall atmosphere differ.
Which university is better for students interested in internships and career opportunities?

Both universities offer career services and internship programs. UMass Boston's location in Boston provides access to a wide range of internships and job opportunities in industries such as finance, healthcare, and technology. University at Buffalo's strong alumni network and connections with companies in New York State offer opportunities in engineering, technology, and healthcare. The 'better' choice depends on the student's specific career interests and desired location.
How do the graduation rates compare between UMass Boston and University at Buffalo?

Graduation rates can vary. University at Buffalo generally has a higher graduation rate than UMass Boston. This can be attributed to factors such as student selectivity, resources available to students, and the overall campus environment. However, UMass Boston is actively working to improve its graduation rates through various student support initiatives.

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