University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. URI

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rhode Island is larger than University of Massachusetts-Lowell based on total student enrollment (17,210 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 Rhode Island is in Kingston, RI (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Rhode Island is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; University of Rhode Island 17:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. URI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or URI? 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 URI ($16,530 vs. $24,118).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Rhode Island are 3.4% lower than at University of Massachusetts Lowell ($15,607 vs. $16,148).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than URI (about $24 more per year; $16,966.00 vs. $16,942.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at URI than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $882 more per year; $37,146.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rhode Island than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (96% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 20% larger than aid received by University of Rhode Island students ($15,098 vs. $12,578).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. URI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is 130 points higher than at URI (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; University of Rhode Island 1020/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; URI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; URI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at URI (3.58).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than URI (72.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 15.4% at URI.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. URI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Lowell and URI? 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 Rhode Island's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Rhode Island earn a median of about $900 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Rhode Island graduates have a $1,562 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($23,438 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, URI graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($242 vs. $258).
• More URI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.