Lesley University vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Comparable Facts

Compare Lesley University in Cambridge, 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 Lesley University based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 2,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lesley University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); University of Massachusetts Lowell is in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lesley University 10:1; University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1.

Lesley University vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lesley University 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 Lesley University ($16,530 vs. $32,587).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 18.9% lower than at Lesley University ($16,148 vs. $19,920).
• Lesley University is 101.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $17,290 more per year; $34,256.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at University of Massachusetts-Lowell than at Lesley University (about $2,008 more per year; $36,264.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lesley University students is 27% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($19,167 vs. $15,098).

Lesley University vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lesley University 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 Lesley University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity 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: Lesley University - Test-free; 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 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Lesley University (3.31).
• Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Lesley University vs. 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

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

How do outcomes compare for Lesley University 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 Lesley University's (49%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $16,700 more per year than Lesley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lesley University graduates have a $680 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($24,320 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Lesley University graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($251 vs. $258).
• More Lesley University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.