University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Fordham

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA with Fordham University in Bronx, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Fordham based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 16,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Fordham University is in Bronx, NY (Large City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fordham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Fordham University 14:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Fordham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Fordham? 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 Fordham ($16,530 vs. $48,190).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 33% lower than at Fordham University ($16,148 vs. $24,090).
• Fordham University is 282.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $47,949 more per year; $64,915.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79% higher at Fordham than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $28,651 more per year; $64,915.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (95% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fordham University students is 138.4% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($35,988 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Fordham Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fordham University (1400) is 120 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming Fordham students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at University of Massachusetts-Lowell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; Fordham University 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Fordham University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Fordham - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; Fordham Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have the same average high school GPA (3.67) as students at Fordham (3.67).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Fordham (59.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 9.7% at Fordham.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Fordham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Fordham University's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Fordham University earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,200 vs. $55,300), 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 Fordham 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 Fordham graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Fordham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.