University of Massachusetts Boston Acceptance Rate & Test Scores

Boston, MA · Public · 4-year

  • Acceptance rate: 84% for fall 2024
  • SAT, middle 50%: 540–650 reading and writing, 530–640 math
  • ACT, middle 50%: 22–29 composite
  • Average net price: $17,554 a year (2022–23)
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Add a test score to compare it with what University of Massachusetts Boston reported: an acceptance rate of 84% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 22–29.

Plan the grades I need

A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. University of Massachusetts Boston reviews each application.

University of Massachusetts Boston GPA requirements

University of Massachusetts Boston requires a high school GPA from first-year applicants, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Federal data doesn't include GPA averages, and University of Massachusetts Boston hasn't published one we could verify, so this page doesn't list an average GPA.

University of Massachusetts Boston acceptance rate

University of Massachusetts Boston admitted 17,813 of 21,262 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 84%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

University of Massachusetts Boston is a public 4-year university in Boston, Massachusetts, with 12,138 undergraduates.

SAT and ACT scores

Scores of the first-year students who entered University of Massachusetts Boston in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:

Test25th percentileMedian75th percentile
SAT Reading and Writing540600650
SAT Math530590640
ACT Composite222629
ACT English222731
ACT Math192426
32% submitted SAT scores and 2% submitted ACT scores, as University of Massachusetts Boston reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1194 for admitted students.

Admission requirements

What University of Massachusetts Boston looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:

Admission factorStatus
High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average.Required
High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned.Required
College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school.Required
RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors.Required
Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application.Required
Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores.Considered if submitted
Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work.Considered if submitted
Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college.Considered if submitted
High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class.Not considered
Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III.Not considered
Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations.Not considered
Requirements can differ by program and applicant type, so check with University of Massachusetts Boston's admissions office before you apply.

AP credit

University of Massachusetts Boston awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

It also awards credit for life experience, such as work or military service.

Average net price

First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $17,554 a year at University of Massachusetts Boston in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 3.0 GPA good enough for the University of Massachusetts Boston?

GPA alone can't tell you here. University of Massachusetts Boston admitted 84% of first-year applicants for fall 2024. It requires a high school GPA but hasn't published an average we could verify, so there's no admitted-student GPA to compare a 3.0 against. Your transcript and test scores are the clearer guide.

What GPA does the University of Massachusetts Boston look for?

University of Massachusetts Boston requires a high school GPA from first-year applicants, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. It hasn't published an average GPA we could verify, so we don't list one.

What percent of applicants does the University of Massachusetts Boston accept?

University of Massachusetts Boston's acceptance rate was 84% for fall 2024: it admitted 17,813 of 21,262 first-year applicants, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education.

Do you need SAT or ACT scores to apply to the University of Massachusetts Boston?

No. University of Massachusetts Boston is test optional: it considers SAT or ACT scores if you send them, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 32% sent SAT scores and 2% sent ACT scores.

How hard is it to get into the University of Massachusetts Boston?

Not very selective: at least 3 in 4 applicants got in. University of Massachusetts Boston admitted 84% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.

How much does GPA matter at the University of Massachusetts Boston?

A lot: University of Massachusetts Boston requires high school GPA, high school record, college preparatory program, recommendations and essay or personal statement. It considers test scores, work experience and legacy status if you send them. It doesn't consider high school class rank, other tests and demonstration of competencies. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

What are the University of Massachusetts Boston's SAT and ACT score ranges?

The middle 50% of University of Massachusetts Boston's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 540–650 in reading and writing and 530–640 in math; ACT composite 22–29, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.

Does the University of Massachusetts Boston accept AP credit?

Yes. University of Massachusetts Boston awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

What is the average net price at the University of Massachusetts Boston?

First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $17,554 a year at University of Massachusetts Boston in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Does the University of Massachusetts Boston look at legacy status?

Yes. University of Massachusetts Boston considers whether a parent or other relative attended, though it isn't required, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Before you apply, check the University of Massachusetts Boston's official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.

Sources

  1. College Navigator: University of Massachusetts-BostonU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
  2. College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).

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