University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA with William Paterson University of New Jersey in Wayne, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than William Paterson University of New Jersey based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 9,942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); William Paterson University of New Jersey is in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or William Paterson University of New Jersey? 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 William Paterson University of New Jersey than University of Massachusetts-Lowell ($13,509 vs. $16,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 0.6% lower than at William Paterson University of New Jersey ($16,148 vs. $16,240).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $1,262 more per year; $16,966.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.1% higher at University of Massachusetts-Lowell than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $10,920 more per year; $36,264.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (86% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 0.4% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($15,098 vs. $15,040).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or William Paterson University of New Jersey? 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 William Paterson University of New Jersey and University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is 110 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345.
• 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; William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at William Paterson University of New Jersey (2.97).
• William Paterson University of New Jersey has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Lowell and William Paterson University of New Jersey? 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 Massachusetts Lowell's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($24,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($253 vs. $258).
• More University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

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.