University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Elms College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA with College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Elms College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Elms College? 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 Elms College ($16,530 vs. $19,870).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 3.4% lower than at University of Massachusetts Lowell ($15,605 vs. $16,148).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is 155.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $26,359 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.5% higher at Elms College than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $7,061 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 123.8% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($33,794 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Elms College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Elms College? 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 Elms College and University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is 40 points higher than at Elms College (1240).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Elms College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Elms College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Elms College? 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).

• College of Our Lady of the Elms's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Our Lady of the Elms and University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, College of Our Lady of the Elms and University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 61%)

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.