University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Salem State University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 6,230 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Salem State University is in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Salem State University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 4.1% lower than at Salem State University ($16,148 vs. $16,838).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.7% higher at University of Massachusetts-Lowell than at Salem State University (about $16,733 more per year; $36,264 vs. $19,531).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (98% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 46.3% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($15,098 vs. $10,319).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at University of Massachusetts-Lowell, test-free at Salem State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell average a 3.67 high school GPA, 0.5 higher than at Salem State University (3.17).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 11.3% at Salem State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($248 vs. $258).
• More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 63%).

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