University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or RPI? 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 RPI ($16,530 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 10.9% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($16,148 vs. $18,120).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 277.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $47,115 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.7% higher at RPI than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $27,817 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (95% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 188.2% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($43,517 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. RPI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 160 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming RPI students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 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; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than RPI (63.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 12.1% at RPI.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $27,200 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Lowell graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($258 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.