Fitchburg State vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, 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 Fitchburg State based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 5,892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); University of Massachusetts Lowell is in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Fitchburg State 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: Fitchburg State University 11:1; University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1.

Fitchburg State vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State University than University of Massachusetts-Lowell ($15,340 vs. $16,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 4.3% lower than at University of Massachusetts Lowell ($15,452 vs. $16,148).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is 49.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $5,620 more per year; $16,966.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.1% higher at University of Massachusetts-Lowell than at Fitchburg State University (about $18,838 more per year; $36,264.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fitchburg State University than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (92% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 30.8% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($15,098 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is 130 points higher than at Fitchburg State (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

Fitchburg State vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State 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).

• University of Massachusetts Lowell's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $2,315 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($22,685 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($234 vs. $258).
• More Fitchburg State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.