University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Vassar College 7:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($16,530 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 11.5% lower than at Vassar College ($16,148 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 318.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $54,064 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.9% higher at Vassar than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $34,766 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at Vassar College (82% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 280.5% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($57,443 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 220 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 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; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Vassar College earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $9,220 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($15,780 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($163 vs. $258).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.