University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs University of Massachusetts-Boston

University of Massachusetts-Lowell and University of Massachusetts-Boston are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: University of Massachusetts-Boston is more selective with a 83.0% acceptance rate compared to University of Massachusetts-Lowell's 85.2%. Average SAT scores are 1253 and 1188 respectively.

Cost: University of Massachusetts-Boston offers a lower average net price at $18,282, which is $345 less than University of Massachusetts-Lowell ($18,627). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from University of Massachusetts-Boston earn a median salary of $65,865 ten years after enrollment, which is $991 more than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($64,874).

Graduation: University of Massachusetts-Lowell leads with a 70.6% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 81.9% vs 72.9%.

Campus Size: University of Massachusetts-Boston is the larger campus with 11,848 total students, while University of Massachusetts-Lowell has 11,632.

Bottom Line: University of Massachusetts-Boston stands out as both more affordable and producing higher-earning graduates — making it the stronger value proposition overall.