University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Western New England University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA with Western New England University in Springfield, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Western New England University based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 3,674 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Western New England University is in Springfield, MA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western New England University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Western New England University 12:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Western New England University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Western New England University? 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 Western New England University ($16,530 vs. $27,056).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western New England University are 3.6% lower than at University of Massachusetts Lowell ($15,570 vs. $16,148).
• Western New England University is 181.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $30,854 more per year; $47,820.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.9% higher at Western New England University than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $11,556 more per year; $47,820.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western New England University than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (97% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western New England University students is 119% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($33,067 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Western New England University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is 80 points higher than at Western New England University (1200).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Western New England University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; Western New England University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Western New England University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Western New England University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Western New England University (3.49).
• Western New England University has a higher acceptance rate (83.5%) than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 12.5% at Western New England University.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Western New England University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Western New England University? 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).

• Western New England University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Western New England University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Lowell graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Western New England University graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western New England University graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Western New England University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.