University of Massachusetts-Lowell
University of Massachusetts-Lowell — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Massachusetts-Lowell at a Glance
The University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public research university in Lowell, Massachusetts, with a satellite campus in Haverhill, Massachusetts. It is the northernmost member of the University of Massachusetts public university system and has been accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) since 1975. With 1,110 faculty members and over 18,000 students, it is the largest university in the Merrimack Valley and the second-largest public institution in the state. It i…
1894
132 years old
$200M
$200 million (2025)
16,797
12,122 undergrad · 4,675 grad
599
150 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Official admissions pageMarch 1
November 5 (Early Action I)
$70
Fee waiver available
Fee waiver
Is University of Massachusetts-Lowell Worth It?
University of Massachusetts-Lowell delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $17,163/year, it's priced 16% below average, while graduates go on to earn $64,874 — 21% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 67% graduation rate means roughly 33% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How University of Massachusetts-Lowell compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #10 of 34 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | University of Washington-Bothell Campus | 100 | $12,319 | $78,466 |
| #4 | Michigan Technological University | 94 | $14,182 | $78,198 |
| #5 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #6 | Portland State University | 80 | $9,552 | $57,906 |
| #10 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell | 64 | $17,163 | $64,874 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Massachusetts-Lowell's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Massachusetts-Lowell
The highest-earning program at University of Massachusetts-Lowell is Computer Science at $71,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $25,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from University of Massachusetts-Lowell earns $71,400, while a Music graduate earns $25,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $25,500 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,163/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $71,400 | $71,400 | $25,500 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $65,600 | $65,600 | $27,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $64,300 | $64,300 | $27,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $63,000 | $63,000 | $26,999 |
| Information Science/Studies | $59,700 | $59,700 | $25,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $59,300 | $59,300 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $59,100 | $59,100 | $27,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $54,300 | $54,300 | $26,522 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $42,000 | $42,000 | $24,673 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $39,000 | $39,000 | $22,939 |
| Biology, General | $36,200 | $36,200 | $25,408 |
| Psychology, General | $33,200 | $33,200 | $24,954 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $31,600 | $31,600 | $25,250 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $30,900 | $30,900 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $29,400 | $29,400 | $25,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $27,700 | $27,700 | $25,500 |
| Music | $25,500 | $25,500 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in MA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Lowell, MA
- Student Body
- 11,434 students
- Admission Rate
- 83%
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,163
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $64,874
- Median Student Debt
- $23,704