University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA with Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Penn State Harrisburg ($16,530 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 10.4% lower than at University of Massachusetts Lowell ($14,474 vs. $16,148).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is 6.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $994 more per year; $16,966.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.5% higher at University of Massachusetts-Lowell than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $9,306 more per year; $36,264.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at Penn State Harrisburg (82% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 63.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($15,098 vs. $9,245).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is 60 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Penn State Harrisburg? 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).

• Penn State Harrisburg's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates of University of Massachusetts Lowell and Penn State Harrisburg have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $55,300), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Lowell graduates have a $1,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($258 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.