University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. RIT

Comparable Facts

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

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than University of Massachusetts-Lowell based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 16,598 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Rochester Institute of Technology is in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. RIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or RIT ? 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 RIT ($16,530 vs. $39,534).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 0% lower than at University of Massachusetts Lowell ($16,142 vs. $16,148).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is 249.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $42,308 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.5% higher at RIT than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $23,010 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (98% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students is 132.3% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($35,077 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. RIT Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rochester Institute of Technology (1380) is 100 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming RIT students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 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; Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; RIT - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; RIT Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RIT students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than RIT (66.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 16.3% at RIT .

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. RIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Rochester Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,900 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Lowell graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($25,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($258 vs. $289).
• More RIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.