University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. MHC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA with Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than MHC based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 2,275 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Mount Holyoke College is in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Mount Holyoke College 9:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. MHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or MHC? 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 MHC ($16,530 vs. $32,526).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 18% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($16,148 vs. $19,684).
• Mount Holyoke College is 295% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $50,052 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.8% higher at MHC than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $30,754 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at Mount Holyoke College (82% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Holyoke College students is 247.2% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($52,418 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. MHC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Holyoke College (1460) is 180 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming MHC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 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; Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Mount Holyoke College 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; MHC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; MHC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MHC students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than MHC (36%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 27.2% at MHC.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. MHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Mount Holyoke College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Holyoke College graduates have a $3,794 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($21,206 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, MHC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($219 vs. $258).
• More MHC 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.