University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA with Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than University of Massachusetts-Lowell based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 16,598 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Columbia? 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 Columbia ($16,530 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 8.1% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($16,148 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 323.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $54,879 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98.1% higher at Columbia than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $35,581 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at Columbia University in the City of New York (82% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 343.8% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($67,010 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Columbia? 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 Columbia and University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 270 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at University of Massachusetts-Lowell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Columbia? 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $52,300 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.