University of Massachusetts Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
University of Massachusetts-Lowell is a public research university in Lowell, Massachusetts, with about 11,434 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 83.04% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $64,874 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $16,966
- 2024 Average Net Price: $17,163 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 83.04% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 11,434 82.3% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 64.82%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 31.8%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 2.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 1.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 60.4%
- Average SAT Score: 1285
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 14,459
- Applicants (IPEDS): 12,628
- Room & Board: $16,148 annual estimate
University of Massachusetts-Lowell: what the data shows
Common questions about University of Massachusetts-Lowell, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is University of Massachusetts-Lowell?
University of Massachusetts-Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (ZIP 01854).
NCES locale classification: Rural fringe.
Is University of Massachusetts-Lowell public or private?
University of Massachusetts-Lowell is a Public institution.
How much does University of Massachusetts-Lowell cost?
Published tuition: $16,966 in-state, $36,264 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $17,163.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $9,943 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $10,199 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $12,141 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $16,460 |
| $110,001+ | $26,139 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $67,864.
How hard is it to get into University of Massachusetts-Lowell?
Admission rate: 83.04%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1285 and midpoint ACT 29.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is University of Massachusetts-Lowell?
Total enrollment: 11,434 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 14,459 students.
Graduate enrollment: 4,476 students.
About 82% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at University of Massachusetts-Lowell?
150%-time completion rate: 64.82%.
First-year retention: 84.0%.
What do graduates of University of Massachusetts-Lowell earn?
Median earnings: $61,467 six years after entry; $64,874 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $23,704.
30.00% of students receive Pell grants.
What is University of Massachusetts-Lowell known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (1,086 completions)
- Computer Science (323 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration (300 completions)
- Mechanical Engineering (250 completions)
- Psychology, General (242 completions)
- Information Science/Studies (184 completions)
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering (145 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (135 completions)
- Public Health, General (112 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (103 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is University of Massachusetts-Lowell a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 83.04%; completion rate 64.82%; median earnings $64,874 at 10 years; net price $17,163. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$16,966
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of Massachusetts-Lowell was $16,966.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$17,163
2024 Value
In 2024 University of Massachusetts-Lowell had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $17,163.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$68,652 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$17,163 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$67,864 4-Year In-State Tuition
$145,056 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$16,148 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,200 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$34,314 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$137,256 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for University of Massachusetts-Lowell.
Financial Aid by Income Level
30.00% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
53.02% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of Massachusetts-Lowell was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of Massachusetts-Lowell in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $12,097 | $26,146 | $16,351 |
| 2014 | $12,447 | $27,400 | $16,798 |
| 2015 | $13,427 | $29,125 | $18,005 |
| 2016 | $14,307 | $30,875 | $19,095 |
| 2017 | $14,800 | $31,865 | $19,322 |
| 2018 | $15,180 | $32,827 | $18,882 |
| 2019 | $15,648 | $33,574 | $19,119 |
| 2020 | $15,698 | $33,624 | $20,079 |
| 2021 | $15,698 | $33,624 | $14,071 |
| 2022 | $16,182 | $34,550 | $18,281 |
| 2023 | $16,570 | $35,396 | $18,627 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
83.04% Acceptance Rate
12,628 Total Applicants
10,764 Students Admitted
2,083 First-Time Students Enrolled
19.35% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1285
ACT Average: 29
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5
Estimated Median GPA: 3.40
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
University of Massachusetts-Lowell reported total enrollment of about 11,434 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 58% male and 42% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (49.4%), Hispanic or Latino (17.2%), and Asian (13.9%). About 30.00% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 31.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
82.3% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of Massachusetts-Lowell in 2024 is 11,434 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 14,459 students. Graduate enrollment is about 4,476 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
84.0%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 49.4%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
44.50% 100% Completion Time
64.82% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 44.50% of students graduating from University of Massachusetts-Lowell completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 63% male / 37% female
- Computer Science: 79% male / 21% female
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration: 45% male / 55% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for University of Massachusetts-Lowell.
Return on Investment
$23,704 Median Student Debt
$64,874 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
36.54% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
844.97% Return on Investment
3.7 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for University of Massachusetts-Lowell.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 98 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 1,086 completions
2. Computer Science: 323 completions
3. Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration: 300 completions
4. Mechanical Engineering: 250 completions
5. Psychology, General: 242 completions
6. Information Science/Studies: 184 completions
7. Electrical and Electronics Engineering: 145 completions
8. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 135 completions
9. Public Health, General: 112 completions
Most popular programs at University of Massachusetts-Lowell.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for University of Massachusetts-Lowell from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 60.4%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $14,275
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $15,274
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
University of Massachusetts-Lowell is a public institution located in Lowell, MA, classified as Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Computer Science, Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration. Enrollment is approximately 11,434 students. Student body composition includes White (49.4%), Hispanic or Latino (17.2%), Asian (13.9%). The admission rate is 83.04%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1285. The 150%-time completion rate is 64.82%. Approximately 30.00% of students receive Pell Grants. About 31.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
Location
Lowell, MA 01854
Region: New England
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 98 distinct degree programs, University of Massachusetts-Lowell provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is University of Massachusetts-Lowell located?
University of Massachusetts-Lowell is located in Lowell, MA.
What is University of Massachusetts-Lowell's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at University of Massachusetts-Lowell is 83.0% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 12,628 applicants and 10,764 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does University of Massachusetts-Lowell cost?
Reported tuition is $16,966 and average net price is $17,163 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $16,148 annually.
What is the student body demographics at University of Massachusetts-Lowell?
University of Massachusetts-Lowell reports undergraduate enrollment of about 14,459 students, White (49.4%), Hispanic or Latino (17.2%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend University of Massachusetts-Lowell?
About 31.8% of students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for University of Massachusetts-Lowell?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, University of Massachusetts-Lowell reports midpoint SAT about 1285 and midpoint ACT about 29.
What do graduates of University of Massachusetts-Lowell earn?
Median earnings are $61,467 six years after entry and $64,874 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of Massachusetts-Lowell?
The 150%-time completion rate is 64.8% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $23,704.
Is University of Massachusetts-Lowell public or private?
University of Massachusetts-Lowell is a public institution located in Lowell, MA.
Is University of Massachusetts-Lowell an HBCU?
No. University of Massachusetts-Lowell is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is University of Massachusetts-Lowell a tribal college?
No. University of Massachusetts-Lowell is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Massachusetts college costs
- Massachusetts colleges by ROI
- New England regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Massachusetts
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.