University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Fisher

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Fisher based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 3,693 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); St. John Fisher University is in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St. John Fisher University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; St. John Fisher University 11:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Fisher Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Fisher? 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 Fisher ($16,530 vs. $30,540).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. John Fisher University are 7.7% lower than at University of Massachusetts Lowell ($14,908 vs. $16,148).
• St. John Fisher University is 142.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $24,224 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.6% higher at Fisher than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $4,926 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. John Fisher University than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. John Fisher University students is 62.5% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($24,530 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Fisher Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is 70 points higher than at Fisher (1210).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Fisher).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; St. John Fisher University 1120/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; St. John Fisher University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Fisher - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Fisher (3.53).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Fisher (66.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 20.3% at Fisher.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Fisher Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• St. John Fisher University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Fisher graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. John Fisher University graduates have a $1,100 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($23,900 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Fisher graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($247 vs. $258).
• More Fisher graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.