BU vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than University of Massachusetts-Lowell based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 16,598 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); University of Massachusetts Lowell is in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Boston 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: Boston University 10:1; University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1.

BU vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BU 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 BU ($16,530 vs. $24,420).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 15.1% lower than at Boston University ($16,148 vs. $19,020).
• Boston University is 301.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $51,136 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.8% higher at BU than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $31,838 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at Boston University (82% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 309.6% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($61,848 vs. $15,098).

BU vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BU 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 BU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston University (1480) is 200 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming BU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at University of Massachusetts-Lowell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 1420/1530; University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 32/34; University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BU - Test optional; University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than BU (11.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

BU vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BU 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).

• Boston University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Boston University earn a median of about $16,700 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,000 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Lowell graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More BU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.