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#3 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts-Lowell Admission Requirements

Lowell, Massachusetts

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Your chances of getting into University of Massachusetts Lowell

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

86%
Admission Difficulty for University of Massachusetts Lowell
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at University of Massachusetts-Lowell is 86%.  Its admission rate is the 51st lowest in Massachusetts.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into University of Massachusetts-Lowell and can you get accepted?

University of Massachusetts Lowell is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 10,532 out of the 12,253 who applied were admitted.

University of Massachusetts Lowell typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.67. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into University of Massachusetts-Lowell?

86% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of Massachusetts Lowell you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.67 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1260 on the SAT
  • Score 28 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

University of Massachusetts-Lowell GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.67

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into University of Massachusetts Lowell?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into University of Massachusetts-Lowell are to have around a 3.67 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.67 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as University of Massachusetts-Lowell accepts 86% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at University of Massachusetts-Lowell is 3.67 on the 4.0 scale. 26% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #21 in Massachusetts for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since University of Massachusetts-Lowell is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of Massachusetts Lowell students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 26.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 18.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 16.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 19.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 15.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 6.0% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

University of Massachusetts-Lowell SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of Massachusetts Lowell. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 31% of students submitted SAT scores and 2% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1170-1348

Applicants Submitting SAT 

31%
SAT Scores for University of Massachusetts Lowell
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 580
Math 25th Percentile 590
Composite 25th Percentile 1170
SAT Scores for University of Massachusetts Lowell
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 668
Math 75th Percentile 680
Composite 75th Percentile 1348
Average SAT Score 1260

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of Massachusetts Lowell?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at University of Massachusetts-Lowell is 1260 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1170-1348. Students who get into University of Massachusetts Lowell score in the top 29 percent of all SAT test takers..  University of Massachusetts-Lowell ranks #22 in the state of Massachusetts and #248 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1260 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. University of Massachusetts-Lowell regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1170 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1170, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1080, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of Massachusetts Lowell is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1260 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1259, you have around a 86% chance of being admitted. A 1348 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 92% chance of getting in.

University of Massachusetts Lowell admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1348 and Above Good >92%
1259 to 1348 Avg + 86%-92%
1170 to 1259 Avg - 76%-86%
1081 to 1170 Reach 63%-76%
Less than 1081 Low <63%
Calculate My Chances 

University of Massachusetts-Lowell ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

25-31 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

2%
ACT Scores for University of Massachusetts Lowell
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 25
Math 25th Percentile 23
Composite 25th Percentile 25
ACT Scores for University of Massachusetts Lowell
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 33
Math 75th Percentile 28
Composite 75th Percentile 31
Average ACT Score 28

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into University of Massachusetts-Lowell?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to University of Massachusetts-Lowell is 28, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 25 and 31.  The school ranks #22 in Massachusetts and #205 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 28. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 25 and score in the score in the top 22 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 22.

2 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of Massachusetts Lowell is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into University of Massachusetts-Lowell for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 28 score has around 86% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 92% with a 31 ACT score.

University of Massachusetts Lowell admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
31 and Above Good >92%
28 to 31 Avg + 86%-92%
25 to 28 Avg - 76%-86%
22 to 25 Reach 63%-76%
Less than 22 Low <63%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

53% of University of Massachusetts Lowell freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 25% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Massachusetts Lowell students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 25%
Top 25% of class 53%
Top 50% of class 86%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of Massachusetts Lowell admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 5,785 6,467 12,253
Accepted 4,993 5,538 10,532
Acceptance Rate 86% 86% 86%
Enrolled 750 1,187 1,937
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 15% 21% 18%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

52

Applicants have 52 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Feb 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Massachusetts Lowell is $60.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Massachusetts Lowell and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Massachusetts Lowell Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of Massachusetts Lowell
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because University of Massachusetts Lowell is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.67 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1260 and ACT of 28 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of Massachusetts Lowell often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=166513 IPEDS survey data for University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Last updated February 24, 2024