University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Wilkes-Barre ($16,530 vs. $16,621).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Wilkes Barre are 5.4% lower than at University of Massachusetts Lowell ($15,274 vs. $16,148).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is 18.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $2,686 more per year; $16,966.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.1% higher at University of Massachusetts-Lowell than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $12,258 more per year; $36,264.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Wilkes Barre than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (89% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 55% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($15,098 vs. $9,742).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is 70 points higher than at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• 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; Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

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

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates of University of Massachusetts Lowell and Penn State Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre graduates ($258 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Wilkes-Barre 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.