UCSC vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, CA with University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than University of Massachusetts-Lowell based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 16,598 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); University of Massachusetts Lowell is in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz 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 California Santa Cruz 22:1; University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1.

UCSC vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC 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 UCSC ($16,530 vs. $18,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 19% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($16,148 vs. $19,948).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $961 more per year; $16,966.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.4% higher at UCSC than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $13,941 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at University of California Santa Cruz (82% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students is 50.8% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($22,774 vs. $15,098).

UCSC vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC 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 UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is 20 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at University of Massachusetts-Lowell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026; University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at UCSC (3.63).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

UCSC vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC 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 California Santa Cruz's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $5,041 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($19,959 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($206 vs. $258).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.