Wesleyan University vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 4,011 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, CT (Small City setting); University of Massachusetts Lowell is in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wesleyan University 8:1; University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1.

Wesleyan University vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wesleyan University or University of Massachusetts-Lowell? 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 Wesleyan University ($16,530 vs. $23,025).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 18.7% lower than at Wesleyan University ($16,148 vs. $19,872).
• Wesleyan University is 314.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $53,376 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94% higher at Wesleyan University than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $34,078 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at Wesleyan University (82% vs. 42%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wesleyan University students is 337.1% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($65,995 vs. $15,098).

Wesleyan University vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wesleyan University (1480) is 200 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming Wesleyan University 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: Wesleyan University 1415/1540; University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 33/35; University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wesleyan University - Test optional; University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027; University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027.
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Wesleyan University (16.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Wesleyan University vs. 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

Wesleyan University vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Wesleyan University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($17,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($180 vs. $258).
• More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.