University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Northeastern

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern University is larger than University of Massachusetts-Lowell based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 16,598 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Northeastern University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Northeastern University 16:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Northeastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Northeastern? 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 Northeastern ($16,530 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 17.5% lower than at Northeastern University ($16,148 vs. $19,580).
• Northeastern University is 290% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $49,196 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.4% higher at Northeastern than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $29,898 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at Northeastern University (82% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University students is 234% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($50,421 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Northeastern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern University (1490) is 210 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming Northeastern students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 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; Northeastern University 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Northeastern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Northeastern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; Northeastern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 53.8% at Northeastern.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Northeastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Northeastern University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Northeastern University earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,500 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Lowell graduates have a $2,875 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($258 vs. $288).
• More Northeastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.