University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 2,520 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or RISD? 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 RISD ($16,530 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 2.9% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($16,148 vs. $16,626).
• Rhode Island School of Design is 269.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $45,722 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.9% higher at RISD than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $26,424 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at Rhode Island School of Design (82% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 153.2% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($38,223 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. RISD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 180 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming RISD 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; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RISD students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 41.5% at RISD.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Rhode Island School of Design's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $51,100), 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 RISD 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 RISD graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.