University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. SUNY Poly

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than SUNY Poly based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 2,733 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. SUNY Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or SUNY Poly? 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 SUNY Polytechnic Institute than University of Massachusetts-Lowell ($14,782 vs. $16,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 2.6% lower than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute ($16,148 vs. $16,584).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is 96.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Poly (about $8,341 more per year; $16,966.00 vs. $8,625.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.9% higher at University of Massachusetts-Lowell than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (about $15,049 more per year; $36,264.00 vs. $21,215.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Polytechnic Institute than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 80.7% larger than aid received by SUNY Polytechnic Institute students ($15,098 vs. $8,357).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. SUNY Poly Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is 80 points higher than at SUNY Poly (1200).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at SUNY Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 1025/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; SUNY Poly - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; SUNY Poly Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Poly 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 SUNY Poly (81.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 8.7% at SUNY Poly.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. SUNY Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Massachusetts Lowell's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than SUNY Polytechnic Institute's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than SUNY Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $53,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates have a $8,415 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($16,585 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Poly graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($171 vs. $258).
• More SUNY Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.