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University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Lowell, MA·Public·11,434 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and in-state Massachusetts residents. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $57,200 within 10 years.

83%
Accept
11,434
Students
$17,163
Net Price
65%
Grad Rate
$57,200
Earnings
10 yr
$23,704
Debt

About This School

University of Massachusetts-Lowell is a public institution located in Lowell, Massachusetts with approximately 11,434 undergraduate students enrolled. University of Massachusetts-Lowell has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 83%. The average net price after financial aid is $17,163 per year. The graduation rate is 65%, and the typical graduate earns $57,200 within 10 years of enrollment.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public research university in Lowell, Massachusetts, with a satellite campus in Haverhill, Massachusetts. It is the northernmost member of the University of Massachusetts public university system and has been accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) since 1975. With 1,110 faculty members and over 18,000 students, it is the largest university in the Merrimack Valley and the second-largest public institution in the state. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research spending and doctorate production".

This is a strong option for students seeking an affordable STEM or engineering education, with an average net price of just $18,627/year and median earnings of $57,200 a decade out — a solid return on a relatively modest investment. The 85% acceptance rate makes it accessible, and the research university designation means real academic resources for undergrads. The one honest concern: a 70% graduation rate suggests a meaningful number of students don't finish, so incoming students should think carefully about support systems and their own readiness to stay on track.

Founded
1975
Setting
Large suburb
Avg Faculty Salary
$14,275

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing20%
Engineering18%
Computer Science13%
Health Professions8%
Psychology7%
Visual & Performing Arts4%
Biological Sciences4%
Social Sciences2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Tawakkol KarmanThelma ToddConnor HellebuyckDwayne RolosonChristopher J. CoyneJohn PinetteRoger BoisjolyCarter HuttonShelagh DonohoeCraig MacTavishChristian FolinMarty Meehan

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1285
Reading 75th %ile680
Math 75th %ile690

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite29

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$16,966
Out-of-State Tuition
$36,264
Avg Net Price
$17,163
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$9,943
$30–48k$10,199
$48–75k$12,141
$75–110k$16,460
$110k+$26,139

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants30%
Median debt at graduation$23,704

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
65%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
84%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$57,200
after enrollment
Median Debt
$23,704
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$48,500
Female graduates$41,600

Gap: 14% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

What Each Major Actually Earns

Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates earn most above the national rate in Biology, General ($76,149 vs $57,214 nationally), and most below it in Civil Engineering ($83,233 vs $86,517).

MajorGradsHereNationalDiff
Business Administration, Management and Operations615$75,859$68,257+$7,602
Computer Science218$111,612$107,009+$4,603
Psychology, General210$57,489$50,706+$6,783
Criminal Justice and Corrections210$66,258$55,378+$10,880
Mechanical Engineering156$94,841$92,135+$2,706
Information Science/Studies144$89,715$85,294+$4,421
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering123$101,054$100,647+$407
Biology, General114$76,149$57,214+$18,935
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing99$93,650$88,910+$4,740
English Language and Literature, General88$54,039$48,590+$5,449
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities82$51,492$53,072−$1,580
Civil Engineering75$83,233$86,517−$3,284

U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$23,704
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$45,700
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$57,200
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.4x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White49%
Black10%
Hispanic/Latino17%
Asian14%
Two or more races3%
International3%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (11,434 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

University of Massachusetts-Lowell

1 University Ave

Lowell, MA 01854

View on Google Maps →

Schools Like This in Massachusetts

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See How Colleges Compare

University of Massachusetts-Lowell is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at University of Massachusetts-Lowell?

University of Massachusetts-Lowell has an acceptance rate of 83%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Is University of Massachusetts-Lowell hard to get into?

Not especially. University of Massachusetts-Lowell has an acceptance rate of 83%, so admissions are relatively accessible for applicants who meet the requirements.

How much does University of Massachusetts-Lowell cost?

The average net price at University of Massachusetts-Lowell is about $17,163 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.

What is the graduation rate at University of Massachusetts-Lowell?

University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a graduation rate of 65%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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