University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Rutgers

Comparable Facts

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

Rutgers University New Brunswick is larger than University of Massachusetts-Lowell based on total student enrollment (52,269 students vs. 16,598 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Rutgers University New Brunswick is in New Brunswick, NJ (Small City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Rutgers University New Brunswick 16:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Rutgers Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Rutgers? 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 Rutgers ($16,530 vs. $20,522).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University New Brunswick are 2.7% lower than at University of Massachusetts Lowell ($15,714 vs. $16,148).
• Rutgers University New Brunswick is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $963 more per year; $17,929.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at Rutgers than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $1,177 more per year; $37,441.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (82% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University New Brunswick students is 10.9% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($16,742 vs. $15,098).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Rutgers Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rutgers University New Brunswick (1410) is 130 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming Rutgers students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 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; Rutgers University New Brunswick 1310/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Rutgers University New Brunswick 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Rutgers - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Rutgers (3.3).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Rutgers (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 20.5% at Rutgers.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Rutgers Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Rutgers University New Brunswick's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates have a $2,785 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($22,215 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Rutgers graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($229 vs. $258).
• More Rutgers graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.