Academic Comparison between UMass Amherst and Wheaton

University of Massachusetts-Amherst and Wheaton College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UMass Amherst is a four-year, public school located in Amherst, MA and Wheaton is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Wheaton, IL.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • UMass Amherst is a public and Wheaton is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Wheaton has more expensive tuition & fees ($45,546) than UMass Amherst ($40,449).
  • It is harder to admit to UMass Amherst than Wheaton.
  • UMass Amherst has a higher submitted SAT score (1,420) than Wheaton (1,380).
  • UMass Amherst has higher submitted ACT score (32) than Wheaton (30).
  • UMass Amherst has more students with 31,726 students while Wheaton has 2,874 students.
  • Wheaton has a lower number of students per faculty with 10 to 1 while UMass Amherst's ratio is 17 to 1.
  • UMass Amherst has more full-time faculties with 1,458 faculties while Wheaton has 193 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of Massachusetts-Amherstvs.Wheaton College
Amherst, MassachusettsLocationWheaton, Illinois
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$17,772
Out-Of-State$40,449
2025 Tuition & Fees$45,546
73%% Receiving Financial Aid92%
$13,764Average Amount of Financial Aid$24,496
59.73 %Acceptance Rates87.40 %
17.95 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)29.89 %
1,420SAT Score1,380
32ACT Score30
83 %Graduation Rate85 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
92 %Retention Rate93 %
31,726Student Population2,874
1,458Number of Faculties193
17 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio10 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services