University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Houghton University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Houghton University based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 1,200 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Houghton University is in Houghton, NY (Remote Rural setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Houghton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Houghton University 12:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Houghton University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Houghton University? 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 Houghton University ($16,530 vs. $21,274).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houghton University are 29.7% lower than at University of Massachusetts Lowell ($11,360 vs. $16,148).
• Houghton University is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $1,464 more per year; $18,430.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.8% higher at University of Massachusetts-Lowell than at Houghton University (about $17,834 more per year; $36,264.00 vs. $18,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houghton University than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 52.5% larger than aid received by Houghton University students ($15,098 vs. $9,902).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Houghton University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is 10 points higher than at Houghton University (1270).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at Houghton University (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; Houghton University 1170/1375.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Houghton University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Houghton University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Houghton University (3.25).
• Houghton University has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 23.2% at Houghton University.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Houghton University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Houghton University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Houghton University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Lowell graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Houghton University graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Houghton University graduates ($258 vs. $263).
• More Houghton University 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.