umass lowell vs umass dartmouth

UMass Lowell vs UMass Dartmouth

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

UMass Lowell and UMass Dartmouth are both highly regarded public research universities in the University of Massachusetts system. UMass Lowell has higher national U.S. rankings: in the US News Best Colleges 2025, UMass Lowell is ranked #152 in National Universities and #81 among Top Public Schools. UMass Dartmouth is ranked approximately #244 among national universities. UMass Lowell is strongest in engineering, tech, computer science, early-career salaries, co-op / experiential education, and return on investment, whereas UMass Dartmouth is strongest in social mobility, some public-service oriented programs, marine / coastal studies, and liberal arts / visual arts.

General Information

UMass Lowell, with total enrollment (undergraduate + graduate) approximately 16,959 and undergraduates approximately 11,630, is larger than UMass Dartmouth. UMass Dartmouth has a smaller overall enrollment (about half the size of Lowell's). UMass Lowell has a city campus in Lowell with 100-plus undergraduate and 60-plus graduate offerings, strong co-ops, start-ups, research labs, etc. UMass Dartmouth provides a more suburban / regional campus experience with emphases in marine sciences, environmental studies, visual & performing arts, etc.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

UMass Lowell acceptance rate  is ~ 85%. Mid-range SAT/ACT scores for accepted students at UMass Lowell are roughly SAT 1260 / ACT 29. Test-optional strategies are active. In the case of UMass Dartmouth 92% acceptance rate, so that is marginally higher.

Research Impact & Facilities

UMass Lowell has solid infrastructure: engineering & computer science laboratories, co-op programs, good employer ties, research spend, etc. It is highly rated in return-on-investment benchmarks, including early career salary. UMass Dartmouth also has excellent research equipment (marine science through SMAST etc.), and is highly rated for online programs and social mobility, but its research activity and funding are less extensive than Lowell's in many technical areas.

Cost & Financial Aid

For UMass Lowell, tuition & fees in-state are US$16,966, out-of-state US$36,264. Financial aid is received by many students; average net price (grantable sticker price) is much less than sticker price for most undergrads. For UMass Dartmouth, tuition & fees in-state are roughly US$16,233 for Mass residents, more for out-of-state, with meal plans & housing adding expense. UMass Dartmouth also provides financial aid and grant assistance, but average net price and aid are lower than some private-institution comparisons. UMass Lowell has higher early-career return, which compensates for cost for most students.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

UMass Lowell alumni have favorable early career outcomes: median early career salary ~ US$64,870 for most graduates, high employability, co-ops, etc. UMass Dartmouth alumni have lower median incomes in similar metrics (six years post-graduation, ~ US$51,475). Graduation/completion rates are stronger at Lowell (~ 68%) compared to Dartmouth (~ 53%). UMass Lowell has greater ROI, particularly for graduates in STEM/engineering/tech majors, and better networks due to its proximity to Boston / more industrial / tech corridors, which helps alumni in engineering, business, sciences. UMass Dartmouth's alumni achievement is more robust in social mobility, public service, environmental studies, arts, coastal / regional industries.