Emerson vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Emerson College and University of Massachusetts Lowell side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Emerson College
University of Massachusetts Lowell

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 83%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1280.
  • Cheaper after aid: University of Massachusetts-Lowell. Average net price is $16,530 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs University of Massachusetts-Lowell 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs University of Massachusetts-Lowell $55,300 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College University of Massachusetts Lowell
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
University of Massachusetts-Lowell83%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emerson higher
Emerson1270-1420
University of Massachusetts-Lowell1180-1370
Average net price
University of Massachusetts-Lowell $36,902 less
Emerson$53,432
University of Massachusetts-Lowell$16,530
In-state tuition
University of Massachusetts-Lowell $40,090 less
Emerson$57,056
University of Massachusetts-Lowell$16,966
Out-of-state tuition
University of Massachusetts-Lowell $20,792 less
Emerson$57,056
University of Massachusetts-Lowell$36,264
Graduation rate
Emerson +31 pts
Emerson81%
University of Massachusetts-Lowell50%
Median earnings (10 years)
University of Massachusetts-Lowell +$6,100
Emerson$49,200
University of Massachusetts-Lowell$55,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell 13,781
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell 11,444
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell 83%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell 18.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell 1280
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell 3.67
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell 1180-1370
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell $16,966
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell $36,264
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell $16,148
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell $16,530
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell $15,098
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell 82%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell $55,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell 63%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell $25,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell
    • Business (18%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (13%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (12%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell, MA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell 16,598
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell #371

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); University of Massachusetts Lowell is in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 22.8% lower than at Emerson College ($16,148 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 57.3% higher at Emerson than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $20,792 more per year; $57,056 vs. $36,264).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at Emerson College (82% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 78.8% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($26,997 vs. $15,098).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Emerson than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (30 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and University of Massachusetts-Lowell.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($242 vs. $258).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 63%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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