University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 1,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is in Norton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 11:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) ($16,530 vs. $30,701).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 0.3% lower than at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) ($16,148 vs. $16,200).
• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is 277% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $46,994 more per year; $63,960.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.4% higher at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $27,696 more per year; $63,960.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (99% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students is 222.3% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($48,666 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) and University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (1310) is 30 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 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; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 1220/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (3.48).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (67.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 12.9% at Wheaton College (Massachusetts).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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).

• Wheaton College (Massachusetts)'s six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Lowell graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 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.