U of A vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ with University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arizona is larger than University of Massachusetts-Lowell based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 16,598 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); University of Massachusetts Lowell is in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arizona 20:1; University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1.

U of A vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A 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 U of A ($16,530 vs. $19,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 3.6% lower than at University of Arizona ($16,148 vs. $16,746).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is 21.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of A (about $3,040 more per year; $16,966.00 vs. $13,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.6% higher at U of A than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $6,014 more per year; $42,278.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (95% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 9.6% larger than aid received by University of Arizona students ($15,098 vs. $13,776).

U of A vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A 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 U of A.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arizona (1290) is 10 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at U of A).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 1150/1420; University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29; University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - 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 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at U of A (3.48).
• U of A has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

U of A vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A 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 Arizona's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than U of A graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arizona graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($19,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, U of A graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($196 vs. $258).
• More U of A graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.