University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Princeton

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Princeton University is in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Princeton University 5:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Princeton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Princeton? 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 Princeton University than University of Massachusetts-Lowell ($15,313 vs. $16,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 20.3% lower than at Princeton University ($16,148 vs. $20,250).
• Princeton University is 269.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $45,722 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.9% higher at Princeton than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $26,424 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at Princeton University (82% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 355.2% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($68,727 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Princeton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 270 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming Princeton 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; Princeton University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Princeton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 75.5% at Princeton.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Princeton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $58,600 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $17,500 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($7,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $181 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($77 vs. $258).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.