University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. MCLA

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA with Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 896 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or MCLA? 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 MCLA ($16,530 vs. $16,544).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 4.7% lower than at University of Massachusetts Lowell ($15,386 vs. $16,148).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is 36.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $4,530 more per year; $16,966.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.6% higher at University of Massachusetts-Lowell than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $14,883 more per year; $36,264.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (99% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 66.9% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($15,098 vs. $9,045).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. MCLA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is 210 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 19 at MCLA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; MCLA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 11.5% at MCLA.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $18,200 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates have a $341 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($24,659 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($254 vs. $258).
• More MCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.