University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Nichols

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Nichols College is in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Nichols College 15:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Nichols Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Nichols? 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 Nichols ($16,530 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nichols College are 2.2% lower than at University of Massachusetts Lowell ($15,800 vs. $16,148).
• Nichols College is 151.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $25,739 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.8% higher at Nichols than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $6,441 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (99% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 70.9% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($25,809 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Nichols Admissions comparison

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

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is 150 points higher than at Nichols (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; Nichols College 1028/1236.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Nichols - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.77 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Nichols (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 18.1% at Nichols.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Nichols Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Massachusetts Lowell's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Nichols graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Lowell graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Nichols graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.