University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Providence based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Providence College 11:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Providence? 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 Providence ($16,530 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 9.5% lower than at Providence College ($16,148 vs. $17,840).
• Providence College is 274.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $46,584 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.2% higher at Providence than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $27,286 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Providence College than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (83% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Providence College students is 111.1% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($31,873 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Providence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Providence College (1320) is 40 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming Providence students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 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; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Providence (3.47).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Providence (50.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 19.2% at Providence.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Providence College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Providence College earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,000 vs. $55,300), 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 Providence 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 Providence graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Providence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.