Fairfield University vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Should I go to Fairfield University or University of Massachusetts Lowell? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Fairfield University or University of Massachusetts-Lowell is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Fairfield University vs. University of Massachusetts Lowell comparison
Fairfield University University of Massachusetts Lowell College 3 College 4
Fairfield University University of Massachusetts Lowell
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Overview

Fairfield University University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Location Fairfield, CT Lowell, MA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,289 16,770
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #128 #428
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu uml.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Tuition (In State) $55,510 $15,850
Tuition (Out of State) $55,510 $34,676
Room & Board $17,400 $15,424
Avg Net Price $47,630 $17,624
Avg Grant Aid $25,877 $12,647
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 79%

Admission

Fairfield University University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,463 12,628
Admitted 6,956 10,764
Acceptance Rate 45% 85.2%
Enrolled % 20.6% 19.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 3.67
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 29/32 26/30
SAT Range 1240/1380 1180/1350
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2026 Feb 15, 2026

Academics

Fairfield University University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (13%)
  • Engineering (12%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (10%)

Outcomes

Fairfield University University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Graduation Rate 82% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $55,300
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $258

Diversity

Fairfield University University of Massachusetts-Lowell
% Men 7% 15%
% Women 14% 13%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 64%
% Black 2% 6%
% Hispanic 7% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 8% 5%

Students

Fairfield University University of Massachusetts-Lowell
% In-State 15% 87%
% Out-of-State 84% 10%

Campus

Fairfield University University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (16,770 students vs. 6,289 students)

Fairfield University vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or University of Massachusetts-Lowell?

  • Fairfield University is 250.2% more expensive to attend than University of Massachusetts-Lowell for in-state tuition ($55,510.00 vs. $15,850.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 60.1% higher at Fairfield University than University of Massachusetts Lowell ($55,510.00 vs. $34,676.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Massachusetts Lowell than Fairfield University ($17,624 vs. $47,630)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 12.8% lower than costs at Fairfield University ($15,424 vs. $17,400)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fairfield University than University of Massachusetts Lowell (95% vs. 79%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 104.6% larger than aid received University of Massachusetts Lowell ($25,877 vs. $12,647)

Fairfield University vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University or University of Massachusetts-Lowell? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Fairfield University .

  • Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have at the same average high school GPA (3.67) as students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67)
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (85.2%) than Fairfield University (45%)

Fairfield University vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fairfield University or University of Massachusetts-Lowell? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Fairfield University.

  • The graduation rate at Fairfield University is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell (82% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $21,800 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $55,300)
  • University of Massachusetts Lowell students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/