ULM vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisiana at Monroe in Monroe, LA 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 ULM based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 8,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisiana at Monroe is located in Monroe, LA (Small City setting); University of Massachusetts Lowell is in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Louisiana at Monroe 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 Louisiana at Monroe 18:1; University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1.

ULM vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ULM 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 Louisiana at Monroe than University of Massachusetts-Lowell ($13,648 vs. $16,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Monroe are 34.6% lower than at University of Massachusetts Lowell ($10,554 vs. $16,148).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is 84.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ULM (about $7,776 more per year; $16,966.00 vs. $9,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.3% higher at University of Massachusetts-Lowell than at University of Louisiana at Monroe (about $14,974 more per year; $36,264.00 vs. $21,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Monroe than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (95% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 13.2% larger than aid received by University of Louisiana at Monroe students ($15,098 vs. $13,338).

ULM vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ULM 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 ULM.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is 20 points higher than at ULM (1260).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 21 at ULM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Monroe 1160/1360; University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Monroe 18/24; University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ULM - 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 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at ULM (3.53).
• ULM has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.1% at ULM vs. 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

ULM vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ULM 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 University of Louisiana at Monroe's (33%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than ULM graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Monroe graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ULM graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($206 vs. $258).
• More University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ULM students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 49%)

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.