University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Wellesley

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Wellesley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Wellesley? 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 Wellesley ($16,530 vs. $22,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 23.2% lower than at Wellesley College ($16,148 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 295.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $50,210 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.2% higher at Wellesley than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $30,912 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at Wellesley College (82% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 324.7% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($64,116 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Wellesley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 230 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming Wellesley 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; Wellesley College 1460/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Wellesley College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Wellesley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wellesley 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 Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 47.6% at Wellesley.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Wellesley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $16,100 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($8,900 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $166 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($92 vs. $258).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.