University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. SUNY Stony Brook

Comparable Facts

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

Stony Brook University is larger than University of Massachusetts-Lowell based on total student enrollment (26,689 students vs. 16,598 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Stony Brook University is in Stony Brook, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stony Brook University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Stony Brook University 19:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. SUNY Stony Brook Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or SUNY Stony Brook? 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 SUNY Stony Brook ($16,530 vs. $20,992).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 11.3% lower than at Stony Brook University ($16,148 vs. $18,196).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is 55.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Stony Brook (about $6,035 more per year; $16,966.00 vs. $10,931.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.8% higher at University of Massachusetts-Lowell than at Stony Brook University (about $3,523 more per year; $36,264.00 vs. $32,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stony Brook University than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (98% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 62.6% larger than aid received by Stony Brook University students ($15,098 vs. $9,285).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. SUNY Stony Brook Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stony Brook University (1420) is 140 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming SUNY Stony Brook 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; Stony Brook University 1330/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Stony Brook University 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; SUNY Stony Brook - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Stony Brook students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than SUNY Stony Brook (49%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 14.7% at SUNY Stony Brook.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. SUNY Stony Brook Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Lowell and SUNY Stony Brook? 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).

• Stony Brook University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Stony Brook University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stony Brook University graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($19,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Stony Brook graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($196 vs. $258).
• More SUNY Stony Brook graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.