University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. OSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA with Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oregon State University is larger than University of Massachusetts-Lowell based on total student enrollment (37,163 students vs. 16,598 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Oregon State University is in Corvallis, OR (Small City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oregon State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Oregon State University 18:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. OSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or OSU? 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 OSU ($16,530 vs. $22,467).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 1.5% lower than at Oregon State University ($16,148 vs. $16,386).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is 17.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than OSU (about $2,566 more per year; $16,966.00 vs. $14,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at OSU than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $1,926 more per year; $38,190.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oregon State University than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (90% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 34.4% larger than aid received by Oregon State University students ($15,098 vs. $11,230).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. OSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is 10 points higher than at OSU (1270).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at OSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; Oregon State University 1140/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Oregon State University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; OSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; OSU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at OSU (3.61).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than OSU (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 20.4% at OSU.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. OSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Oregon State University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than OSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $53,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oregon State University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, OSU graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($242 vs. $258).
• More OSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.