Worcester, MAprivate nonprofitassumption.edu
Admit rate has ranged 81%–87% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Assumption University is a Catholic liberal arts college in Worcester, MA, where 83% of applicants get in—but 72% graduate, a telling gap that hints at its blend of accessibility and rigor. With a median alumni salary of $122K and 96% employment rates, it delivers strong outcomes for a regional school, particularly in business, healthcare, and education. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio and 85% on-campus residency create an intimate, community-driven experience.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Outcomes & value
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Assumption’s admissions are moderately difficult (83% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants.), with an early acceptance rate of 92.1%—making early applications a strategic advantage. The middle 50% SAT range is 1110–1250, though the school is test-blind (scores are optional unless students choose to submit them). Only 11% of admitted students enroll, suggesting it’s often a safety school for applicants. Just 18% of admitted students had a 4.0 GPA or higher, reflecting a focus beyond raw academic metrics.
Assumption offers 47 majors, with business (6%), nursing (5%), and biology (5%) among the most popular. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio enables close mentorship, and the curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and hands-on learning through internships and research. Notably, 94.6% of students graduate within four years—well above the national average—thanks to structured advising and a focus on retention. The catalog touts 'rigorous academic preparation,' particularly in liberal arts core requirements.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Life here revolves around campus residency (85% of students live on campus, with housing guaranteed all four years) and Worcester’s subdued urban energy. The suburban 180-acre campus fosters tight-knit communities, with RAs on every residence hall floor. Sports are a notable outlet—Assumption competes in Division II—but the vibe leans more toward low-key camaraderie than Greek life (only 22% live off-campus). Traditions emphasize Catholic identity, like annual service projects.
The numbers impress: 96% employment within a year, a $122K median alumni salary, and a 74% six-year graduation rate (93% for Pell Grant recipients). Top sectors include healthcare (21.9%), education (18.1%), and business. The Wall Street Journal ranked Assumption for value-added salary outcomes, crediting its career-prep focus. However, earnings vary sharply by major—history grads earn ~$30K, while business and economics alumni fare significantly better.
At $53,420 sticker price, Assumption isn’t cheap, but 99% of students receive aid, with an average package of $45,310. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. drops to $29,072–$34,740 after scholarships and grants. The school awards $50M annually in aid, heavily subsidizing costs for middle-income families. Notably, the net price calculator suggests aid often covers ~40% of tuition, making it more affordable than peers like Holy Cross.
Assumption punches above its weight with strong ROI (96% employment, $122K median salary) and a high-touch, Catholic-inflected liberal arts model. The 11:1 ratio and four-year graduation rate (94.6%) reflect a commitment to student success, while test-blind admissions widen access. It’s a rare blend: moderately selective yet delivering elite-level outcomes, especially for students who thrive in a close-knit, residency-heavy community.