University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. University of North Carolina Asheville

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than University of North Carolina Asheville based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 3,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); University of North Carolina Asheville is in Asheville, NC (Small City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina Asheville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; University of North Carolina Asheville 13:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or University of North Carolina Asheville? 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 North Carolina Asheville than University of Massachusetts-Lowell ($13,798 vs. $16,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Asheville are 13.4% lower than at University of Massachusetts Lowell ($13,992 vs. $16,148).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is 126.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of North Carolina Asheville (about $9,465 more per year; $16,966.00 vs. $7,501.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.9% higher at University of Massachusetts-Lowell than at University of North Carolina Asheville (about $11,415 more per year; $36,264.00 vs. $24,849.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina Asheville than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (90% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 96.5% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Asheville students ($15,098 vs. $7,683).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is 10 points higher than at University of North Carolina Asheville (1270).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at University of North Carolina Asheville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; University of North Carolina Asheville 1170/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; University of North Carolina Asheville 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; University of North Carolina Asheville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; University of North Carolina Asheville Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at University of North Carolina Asheville (3.49).
• University of North Carolina Asheville has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 10.7% at University of North Carolina Asheville.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Lowell and University of North Carolina Asheville? 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 North Carolina Asheville's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $17,400 more per year than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have a $4,359 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($20,641 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($213 vs. $258).
• More University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of North Carolina Asheville students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 61%)

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.