University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Purchase College? 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 Purchase College ($16,530 vs. $18,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 1.8% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($16,148 vs. $16,436).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is 89.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $8,013 more per year; $16,966.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.8% higher at University of Massachusetts-Lowell than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $17,061 more per year; $36,264.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at SUNY at Purchase College (82% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 44.7% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($15,098 vs. $10,432).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is the same as at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at Purchase College (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Purchase College (74%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• SUNY at Purchase College's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($232 vs. $258).
• More Purchase College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.