University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Olin 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 Olin College ($16,530 vs. $43,184).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 22.4% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($16,148 vs. $20,810).
• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is 291.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $49,432 more per year; $66,398.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.1% higher at Olin College than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $30,134 more per year; $66,398.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students is 186.7% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($43,290 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (1530) is 250 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• 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; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Olin College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Olin College (25.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

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

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

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $10,290 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($14,710 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $106 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($152 vs. $258).

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.