Public
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Boston, Massachusetts
83% Acceptance Rate
University of Massachusetts-Boston — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
83%Acceptance Rate
3.35Avg GPA
1188Avg SAT
27Avg ACT
$29,698Annual Cost
$65,865Grad Salary
42.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
83%
Avg GPA
3.35
Avg SAT
1188
Avg ACT
27
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1080–1290
ACT Middle 50%
24–30
Avg Net Price
$18,282
Need-Based Aid
42.7% receive Pell
University of Massachusetts-Boston is a public research university known for its commitment to academic excellence, diversity, and urban engagement. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the university fosters a dynamic campus environment that encourages research, leadership, and professional preparation. Its focus on providing an accessible, high-value education in a vibrant urban setting makes it a premier choice for students.
University of Massachusetts-Boston Acceptance Rate
Admission at University of Massachusetts-Boston is inclusive by design. 83% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 83% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.35 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.15 – 3.34
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.90
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Massachusetts-Boston Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of Massachusetts-Boston follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of January 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 157 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
University of Massachusetts-Boston reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Priority
January 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (January 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
University of Massachusetts-Boston GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of Massachusetts-Boston is 3.35. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.05–3.35 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.55–3.75.University of Massachusetts-Boston GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.35 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.15 – 3.34
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.95 – 3.14
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.94
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- General first-year admission requires a personal essay and at least one letter of recommendation (an outlier among many test-optional public universities); test scores are not strictly required but considered if submitted
- Traditional Nursing Program requires a specific 500-word essay tied to UMass Boston's stated health-equity mission; admission is fall-only, highly competitive, with limited openings each semester even for current UMass Boston students with strong GPAs
- Honors College uses a single 3.4+ GPA threshold (most recent school) for first-year, current, and transfer students alike - a more flexible, unified entry point than many peer Honors programs
- UMass Boston is a 24/7 urban, largely commuter campus on Boston Harbor; on-campus housing exists but fills quickly and isn't guaranteed - apply for it immediately upon admission if desired
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at University of Massachusetts-Boston
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of Massachusetts-Boston's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Massachusetts-Boston Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at University of Massachusetts-Boston. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into University of Massachusetts-Boston Without SAT or ACT?
University of Massachusetts-Boston considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Massachusetts-Boston Average SAT Score: 1188
Admitted students at University of Massachusetts-Boston average a 1188 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1188 — Less Competitive
A 1188 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1290 SAT or 30 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Massachusetts-Boston allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1080? A retake is worth it at University of Massachusetts-Boston. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 590 | 540 | 640 |
| SAT Reading | 595 | 540 | 650 |
| SAT Composite | 1188 | 1080 | 1290 |
A score under 1080 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1290+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into University of Massachusetts-Boston with a 1300 SAT?
At 1300, your SAT is squarely in University of Massachusetts-Boston's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
University of Massachusetts-Boston ACT Requirements
University of Massachusetts-Boston's admitted students average an ACT of 27.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 27 — Competitive
An average of 27 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 25 | 22 | 28 |
| ACT English | 28 | 24 | 31 |
| ACT Composite | 27 | 24 | 30 |
Can I get into University of Massachusetts-Boston with a 30 ACT?
At 30, you're in the top quarter of University of Massachusetts-Boston's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, University of Massachusetts-Boston weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of Massachusetts-Boston
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
University of Massachusetts-Boston is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Treat the essay and recommendation letter as genuinely required - UMass Boston is an outlier among UMass campuses on this point
Unlike many public universities (and several UMass system peers) that make essays optional, UMass Boston explicitly requires both a personal statement and at least one letter of recommendation as part of general first-year admission, alongside test-optional scores. A student should not assume UMass Boston's relatively high acceptance rate (cited in the low-to-mid 80s) means a light application - the essay and recommendation are doing real evaluative work here in a way they wouldn't at a fully no-essay peer institution.
For nursing, write directly to the health-equity mission in the required 500-word essay - generic "why I want to be a nurse" answers miss the actual prompt
UMass Boston's Traditional Nursing Program's required 500-word essay specifically asks why an applicant wants to study nursing at "an institution committed to advancing health equity" - a deliberately mission-specific prompt tied to the Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences' stated commitment to health equity and population-based care. A nursing applicant should research and reference this specific institutional mission rather than writing a generic nursing-motivation essay that could be submitted anywhere.
For current UMass Boston students seeking to add Nursing, know the GPA bar is stricter than for direct transfer applicants
Current UMass Boston students applying to add the Nursing major need a 3.0+ GPA based on at least 12 graded UMass Boston credits including a completed lab science course, while the criteria for incoming transfer/freshman applicants differs slightly - and the program states explicitly that "meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee admission" given highly competitive, limited openings each semester. A current student already enrolled at UMass Boston shouldn't assume their existing enrollment gives any admission edge into Nursing; it's treated as a separate, selective gate regardless of current student status.
Use the Honors College's flexible entry points if either incoming or already-enrolled at UMass Boston
UMass Boston's Honors College welcomes first-year, current, and transfer students alike with a single GPA threshold (3.4+ at the most recent school, high school or college) - a notably more flexible, single-criterion entry point compared to some peer Honors programs requiring separate, differently-weighted applications by student type. A student who didn't apply to Honors as an incoming freshman can still join later as a current UMass Boston student once they hit the 3.4 GPA bar, without needing a fundamentally different application track.
Expert Insight:
UMass Boston is a 24/7, largely commuter-oriented urban campus on Boston Harbor - students should not assume guaranteed on-campus housing the way they might at a residential flagship; housing fills quickly and should be requested immediately upon admission if desired. A family assuming "UMass" automatically means a traditional residential college experience should confirm housing availability and the commuter-campus culture directly before building expectations around dorm life.
University of Massachusetts-Boston Profile
Full Name
University of Massachusetts-Boston
City
Boston
State
Massachusetts
ZIP Code
02125-3393
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a University of Massachusetts-Boston Degree Worth It?
At $29,698/year against a $65,865 median graduate salary, University of Massachusetts-Boston is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $68,500, and graduates see a 3.31% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from University of Massachusetts-Boston Cost?
Listed tuition runs $29,698/year at University of Massachusetts-Boston. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $18,282.
At University of Massachusetts-Boston, 42.7% receive a Pell Grant and 51.7% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming University of Massachusetts-Boston on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a University of Massachusetts-Boston Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates report a median income of $65,865, about 62% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Massachusetts-Boston. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | Honolulu, HI | 1155 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Massachusetts-Boston. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Massachusetts-Boston. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at University of Massachusetts-Boston
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Massachusetts-Boston Admissions
University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates earn a moderate median salary of $65,865/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at University of Massachusetts-Boston is relatively affordable, around $29,698/year.
42.7% of University of Massachusetts-Boston students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
University of Massachusetts-Boston's acceptance rate is 83%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of Massachusetts-Boston students is 3.35, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.05 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of Massachusetts-Boston. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.95 or below makes admission tougher at University of Massachusetts-Boston, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
University of Massachusetts-Boston weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1188, and within the 1080–1290 range, keeps you competitive.
University of Massachusetts-Boston's deadline is January 15. Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
University of Massachusetts-Boston charges an application fee of 60; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before January 15, 2026. That's University of Massachusetts-Boston's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
Explore Other Options
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