University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. UMass

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than University of Massachusetts-Lowell based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 16,598 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. UMass Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or UMass? 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 UMass ($16,530 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 3.4% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($16,148 vs. $16,710).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $806 more per year; $17,772.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.5% higher at UMass than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $4,185 more per year; $40,449.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (82% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 15.2% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($15,098 vs. $13,110).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. UMass Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 130 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming UMass 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; University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; UMass - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; UMass Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 17.9% at UMass.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. UMass Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Lowell and UMass? 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 Amherst's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $100 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($248 vs. $258).
• More UMass graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.