Emerson vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA 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 Emerson based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); University of Massachusetts Lowell is in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Emerson 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: Emerson College 14:1; University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1.

Emerson vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson 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 Emerson ($16,530 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 22.8% lower than at Emerson College ($16,148 vs. $20,920).
• Emerson College is 236.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $40,090 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.3% higher at Emerson than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $20,792 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at Emerson College (82% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 78.8% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($26,997 vs. $15,098).

Emerson vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson 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 Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 70 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming Emerson students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at University of Massachusetts-Lowell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

Emerson vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson 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).

• Emerson College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($242 vs. $258).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.