University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Lehigh based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 7,692 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Lehigh? 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 Lehigh ($16,530 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 6.2% lower than at Lehigh University ($16,148 vs. $17,220).
• Lehigh University is 283% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $48,014 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.2% higher at Lehigh than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $28,716 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at Lehigh University (82% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 209.5% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($46,731 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 160 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming Lehigh 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; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Lehigh University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $33,900 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $744 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($24,256 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($250 vs. $258).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.