University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Swarthmore? 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 Swarthmore ($16,530 vs. $22,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 20.5% lower than at Swarthmore College ($16,148 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 286% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $48,528 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.6% higher at Swarthmore than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $29,230 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at Swarthmore College (82% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 308.2% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($61,634 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 250 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 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; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($201 vs. $258).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.