University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg College ($16,530 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 9.9% lower than at University of Massachusetts Lowell ($14,548 vs. $16,148).
• Muhlenberg College is 270.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $45,839 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.2% higher at Muhlenberg College than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $26,541 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (99% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 181.8% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($42,545 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Muhlenberg College (1330) is 50 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming Muhlenberg College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 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; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Muhlenberg College (72%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

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

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

• Muhlenberg College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,700 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Lowell graduates have a $1,490 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($258 vs. $273).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.