University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Union College 9:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Union 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 Union College ($16,530 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 5.1% lower than at Union College ($16,148 vs. $17,010).
• Union College is 306.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $52,073 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.4% higher at Union College than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $32,775 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (96% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 181.7% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($42,534 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Union College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union College (1400) is 120 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming Union College 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; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Union College (3.5).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Union College (43.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 13.9% at Union College.

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

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

• Union College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $18,900 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Lowell graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.