University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than University of Massachusetts-Lowell based on total student enrollment (18,848 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 North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or UNCW? 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 UNCW ($16,530 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 11.6% lower than at University of Massachusetts Lowell ($14,268 vs. $16,148).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is 133.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $9,689 more per year; $16,966.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.1% higher at University of Massachusetts-Lowell than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $12,112 more per year; $36,264.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (82% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 126.2% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($15,098 vs. $6,674).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 10 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at UNCW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 21% at UNCW.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Lowell and UNCW? 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 Wilmington'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 $10,600 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($211 vs. $258).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.