University of Massachusetts-Boston vs University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Side-by-side comparison across admissions, costs, outcomes, campus life, and more. Data from US Department of Education.

πŸ’°
Best Value
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Lower Net Price
πŸ’Ό
High Earners
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Higher 10yr Salary
πŸ†
Most Selective
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Harder to get in
πŸŽ“
Graduation
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Higher success
Admissions Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
83.0%
85.2%
Avg SAT Score
1,188
1,253
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1080 – 1290
1180 – 1350
Avg ACT Score
27
29
ACT Range (25th–75th)
24 – 30
26 – 30
Cost & Financial Aid
Avg Net Price
$18,282
$18,627
Tuition (In-State)
$15,496
$16,570
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$37,174
$35,396
Pell Grant Rate % students receiving Pell Grants
42.7%
27.4%
Federal Loan Rate
51.7%
53.5%
Career Outcomes
Median Salary (10yr)
$65,865
$64,874
Graduation Rate
51.1%
70.6%
Retention Rate Freshmen who return for 2nd year
72.9%
81.9%
Campus Life
Total Enrollment
11,848
11,632
Undergrad Enrollment
14,314
14,734
Type
Public
Public
Setting
Urban
Suburban

πŸ“‹ Report Cards

University of Massachusetts-Boston

Academics
C
Value
B
Admissions
C
Diversity
A+

University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Academics
B
Value
B
Admissions
C
Diversity
A-

βš–οΈ Expert Analysis

University of Massachusetts-Boston and University of Massachusetts-Lowell are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: University of Massachusetts-Boston is more selective with a 83.0% acceptance rate compared to University of Massachusetts-Lowell's 85.2%. Average SAT scores are 1188 and 1253 respectively.

Cost: University of Massachusetts-Boston offers a lower average net price at $18,282, which is $345 less than University of Massachusetts-Lowell ($18,627). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from University of Massachusetts-Boston earn a median salary of $65,865 ten years after enrollment, which is $991 more than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($64,874).

Graduation: University of Massachusetts-Lowell leads with a 70.6% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 72.9% vs 81.9%.

Campus Size: University of Massachusetts-Boston is the larger campus with 11,848 total students, while University of Massachusetts-Lowell has 11,632.

Bottom Line: University of Massachusetts-Boston stands out as both more affordable and producing higher-earning graduates β€” making it the stronger value proposition overall.

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