University of Massachusetts Lowell vs University of Vermont

University of Massachusetts Lowell vs University of Vermont

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

Both UMass Lowell and UVM are good public research universities; UVM is ranked among R1 ("very high research activity") and is generally placed higher in most national / international rankings. UMass Lowell is highly respected for STEM, particularly engineering, manufacturing, and applied sciences. UVM excels in environmental science, health professions, and liberal arts in addition to STEM, generally performing better in global ranking for total output and R&D funding.

General Information

UVM, established in 1791, is older and has about 12,168 undergraduates, the same as UMass Lowell's ~ 12,128 undergraduates. UVM has a Burlington campus with over 100 undergraduate majors and numerous graduate programs with a focus on environment, health, science, and liberal arts. UMass Lowell has a big emphasis on engineering, computer science, business, and applied research with many of the programs linked to industry and technical innovation. UMass Lowell's student body contains a high percentage of full- and part-time students; UVM is more residential and retains and graduates a higher percentage overall.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

UMass Lowell admissions are less selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 85%, while UVM's ~ 60%. The middle-50% SAT range for UVM is approximately 1250-1420, ACT approximately 29-32; UMass Lowell's SAT/ACT score ranges are a bit lower on average. Both schools are test-optional most of the time, with heavy emphasis on high school GPA, course difficulty, essays, recommendations. UVM pulls more out-of-state, and UMass Lowell has a high percentage of regional/in-state students, taking advantage of Boston and Massachusetts industry connections.

Research Impact & Facilities

UVM is a research university R1 with a high level of research funding (over $200 million annually in recent years), robust institutions for environmental studies, biomedical science, agriculture, and natural resources. UMass Lowell has a strong research profile particularly in engineering, advanced manufacturing, nanotechnology, and health sciences, with a substantial amount of applied research and industry partnerships. Both have good, modern laboratories, adequate teaching facilities, UVM has more extensive research output per capita and greater diversity in research topics, whereas UMass Lowell focuses more on practical innovation, industry connections, and experiential learning.

Cost & Financial Aid

At UMass Lowell, undergraduate in-state tuition is less than for many private colleges, net price after aid is moderate (about US$17,600 after grants and loans for most students), and most students receive grant aid. UVM's cost of attendance is more, particularly for out-of-state students; numerous UVM students receive financial assistance, and the university provides good scholarships. UVM is slightly more expensive for non-resident students, but residents are better off in terms of affordability. Both institutions offer both need-based and merit-based assistance, although UVM packages tend to be more generous in some scholarships and state/town subsidized programs.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

UMass Lowell graduates are strong in engineering, tech, health, manufacturing, and have good placement in the Boston / New England job market. UVM graduates have excellent rates of success in environmental science, medicine, public health, education, and nonprofits, as well as good salaries many years later. UVM's six-year graduation rate (~77.5%) is superior to that of UMass Lowell (~63-66%), which suggests better student retention and academic advising. While precise ten-year median salaries for both institutions were not consistently available, the early career salaries of UMass Lowell are decidedly competitive, while the long-term earning potential of UVM is robust particularly in fields such as health, environment, and public service.