UMass Boston combines open-access admission with top-tier mobility outcomes, generating $21,095 in earnings beyond expectations while serving 42.7% Pell-eligible students. The institution demonstrates exceptional value in converting educational opportunity into economic advancement for diverse student populations.
With well above average outcomes, driven by strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment and debt levels
With above average performance, reflecting moderate net costs and debt levels that support accessibility while maintaining financial sustainability
With top-tier performance, reflecting the institution's ability to convert educational access into earnings growth for diverse student populations
With top-tier performance, reflecting the institution's ability to convert educational access into earnings growth for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Mobility Engine: exceptional access with strong outcomes
University Of Massachusetts-Boston ranks #116 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, placing at the 92.9th percentile with excellent mobility performance. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this large public university maintains an open-access admission policy with an 83.0% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
UMass Boston enrolls 42.7% Pell-eligible students and 43.1% first-generation students, demonstrating exceptional access for underrepresented populations. Graduates earn $21,095 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 94.7th percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $65,865 ten years after enrollment, placing at the 81st percentile nationally. Compared to peer institutions with similar demographics, graduates earn $5,322 more annually while maintaining debt levels $1,974 below the peer median.
This combination of open access, diverse enrollment, and strong economic outcomes places UMass Boston firmly within the Mobility Engine quadrant, where institutions successfully convert educational opportunity into sustained economic advancement for students from all backgrounds.
UMass Boston demonstrates exceptional value through its combination of accessibility and strong earnings outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $65,865 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 81st percentile nationally, with the institution generating $21,095 in earnings beyond expectations.
This places UMass Boston at the 94.7th percentile nationally for earnings uplift, indicating top-tier performance in helping students achieve outcomes that exceed predictions based on their backgrounds. Earnings range from $38,650 at the 25th percentile to $101,088 at the 75th percentile, demonstrating meaningful variation across career paths and programs.
Students seeking strong economic mobility outcomes at an accessible public institution, particularly first-generation college students and those from lower-income backgrounds. Well-suited for students interested in health professions, business, or STEM fields who value practical career preparation over highly selective admissions.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the University Of Massachusetts-Boston hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-massachusetts-boston/analysis.
University Of Massachusetts-Boston admits 83.0% of applicants, meaning roughly 4 out of 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places UMass Boston in the Open Access category, providing broad educational opportunity for students across varied academic backgrounds.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows that UMass Boston maintains slightly more accessible admission than similar public institutions, emphasizing the university's commitment to educational access. This level of accessibility means that most students with solid academic preparation can expect admission, though specific program requirements may vary.
The university's open-access approach aligns with its mission as a Mobility Engine institution, prioritizing broad participation over restrictive selectivity. For prospective students, this admission rate indicates that UMass Boston should be considered a likely or target school rather than a reach, allowing students to focus on fit, program quality, and post-graduation outcomes rather than admission uncertainty.
Students should build college lists that include institutions with varying selectivity levels, but UMass Boston's accessible admission means it can serve as a strong foundation choice for students seeking quality education in an urban setting with demonstrated career preparation and economic mobility outcomes.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University Of Massachusetts-Boston's published cost of attendance is $29,698 per year, consisting of $15,496 in-state tuition, $17,512 for room and board, and $1,000 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face higher tuition of $37,174, bringing their total cost to $55,686 annually.
However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid, with net costs averaging $18,282 across all income levels—a savings of $11,416 from the sticker price. This substantial aid reduces the effective cost by 38.4%, making UMass Boston considerably more affordable than its published rates suggest.
The institution's net price of $18,282 compares favorably to the peer median of $15,590, though UMass Boston costs $2,692 more than similar institutions. Despite this modest premium, the combination of reasonable costs, substantial financial aid, and the institution's urban Boston location creates strong value for students seeking quality education in a major metropolitan area.
The financial aid structure particularly benefits lower and middle-income families, with progressive pricing that adjusts net costs based on family financial capacity.
UMass Boston graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over time, with median income rising from $53,521 six years after enrollment to $64,922 at eight years and $65,865 at ten years, representing 23.1% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes reflect data from substantial graduate cohorts, with 644 graduates included in the ten-year earnings analysis, providing high confidence in reported figures.
The institution generates $21,095 in earnings beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing UMass Boston at the 94.7th percentile for earnings uplift and demonstrating top-tier performance in value creation. Low-income graduates earn $49,100, indicating strong outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds who represent a significant portion of the student body.
Earnings distribution spans from $38,650 at the 25th percentile to $101,088 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory across the institution's diverse academic offerings. Approximately 25.3% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both immediate workforce entry and advanced education.
Compared to peer institutions with similar student demographics, UMass Boston graduates earn $5,322 more annually, highlighting the institution's effectiveness in translating educational access into superior economic outcomes.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
274 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
26 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
217 graduates
Applied Economics.
131 graduates
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
24 graduates
UMass Boston offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for evaluation and comparison. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing ranks #58 nationally and #1 in Massachusetts, producing 274 graduates with exceptional median earnings of $83,134 and a strong value score of 79.2.
Business Administration and Management, the institution's largest program, ranks #91 nationally and #7 in Massachusetts, graduating 459 students with median earnings of $62,057. Psychology, General ranks #65 nationally and #5 in Massachusetts, graduating 259 students with median earnings of $47,468 and the highest value score of 81.5.
Artificial Intelligence ranks #80 nationally and #2 in Massachusetts, graduating 217 students with median earnings of $73,122. Exercise Science and Kinesiology stands out with a #29 national ranking and #1 state ranking, graduating 145 students with median earnings of $56,255 and an exceptional value score of 86.7.
Biology, General ranks #101 nationally and #9 in Massachusetts, reflecting the institution's comprehensive program portfolio across health professions, business, social sciences, and STEM disciplines.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Georgia Similar quality tier (#115 ranked) | GA | 37% | $68,726 | #115 | Compare |
University Of Washington-Bothell Campus Similar quality tier (#113 ranked) | WA | 92% | $78,466 | #113 | Compare |
Temple University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#118 ranked) | PA | 83% | $63,727 | #118 | Compare |
University Of Connecticut Similar quality tier in Northeast (#112 ranked) | CT | 54% | $73,997 | #112 | Compare |
Wayne State University Similar quality tier (#111 ranked) | MI | 82% | $53,493 | #111 | Compare |
