Colby College vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); University of Massachusetts Lowell is in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1.

Colby College vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College 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 Colby College than University of Massachusetts-Lowell ($16,219 vs. $16,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 9.7% lower than at Colby College ($16,148 vs. $17,890).
• Colby College is 310.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $52,634 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91.9% higher at Colby College than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $33,336 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at Colby College (82% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 358.3% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($69,201 vs. $15,098).

Colby College vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colby College 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 Colby College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 230 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at University of Massachusetts-Lowell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

Colby College vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College 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).

• Colby College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $18,100 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $5,655 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($19,345 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($200 vs. $258).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.