University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. FDU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA with Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus in Madison, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than FDU based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 2,885 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is in Madison, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 11:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. FDU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or FDU? 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 FDU ($16,530 vs. $25,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 0.7% lower than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus ($16,148 vs. $16,270).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is 124% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $21,038 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at FDU than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $1,740 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus students is 87.4% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($28,294 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. FDU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is 100 points higher than at FDU (1180).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at FDU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 1040/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 19/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; FDU - 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 FDU (3.42).
• FDU has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 10.5% at FDU.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. FDU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than FDU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $52,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Lowell graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than FDU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FDU graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FDU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 60%)

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.