University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA with Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Western Washington University based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 14,710 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Lowell is located in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting); Western Washington University is in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Western Washington University? 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 Western Washington University ($16,530 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Washington University are 2.5% lower than at University of Massachusetts Lowell ($15,747 vs. $16,148).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is 77.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Washington University (about $7,384 more per year; $16,966.00 vs. $9,582.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.3% higher at University of Massachusetts-Lowell than at Western Washington University (about $7,557 more per year; $36,264.00 vs. $28,707.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Washington University than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (93% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 118.7% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($15,098 vs. $6,902).

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is 10 points higher than at Western Washington University (1270).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Western Washington University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370; Western Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32; Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027; Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Western Washington University (3.46).
• Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.2%) than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 22.9% at Western Washington University.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Western Washington University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Western Washington University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have a $5,587 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($19,413 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($200 vs. $258).
• More Western Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.