University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Lafayette 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 Lafayette College ($16,530 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 18.7% lower than at Lafayette College ($16,148 vs. $19,866).
• Lafayette College is 285.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $48,432 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.3% higher at Lafayette College than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $29,134 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at Lafayette College (82% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 196.1% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($44,707 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 150 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming Lafayette College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 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; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

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

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

• Lafayette College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $25,700 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 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 Lafayette College 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 Lafayette College graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.