Auburn vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Comparable Facts

Compare Auburn University in Auburn, AL with University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Auburn University is larger than University of Massachusetts-Lowell based on total student enrollment (34,145 students vs. 16,598 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); University of Massachusetts Lowell is in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1.

Auburn vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn or University of Massachusetts-Lowell? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Massachusetts Lowell than Auburn ($16,530 vs. $25,242).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 2.9% lower than at Auburn University ($16,148 vs. $16,626).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is 31.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Auburn (about $4,076 more per year; $16,966.00 vs. $12,890.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at University of Massachusetts-Lowell than at Auburn University (about $1,342 more per year; $36,264.00 vs. $34,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at Auburn University (82% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 38.9% larger than aid received by Auburn University students ($15,098 vs. $10,872).

Auburn vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn or University of Massachusetts-Lowell? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Auburn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Auburn University (1330) is 50 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming Auburn students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 1260/1390; University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 26/31; University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Required; University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027; University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Auburn students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Auburn (45.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

Auburn vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn and University of Massachusetts-Lowell? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Auburn University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Auburn graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Auburn University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Auburn graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More Auburn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.