UMass Lowell vs University of Connecticut (UConn)

When it comes to higher education in Massachusetts and Connecticut, two prominent universities that often draw comparisons are the University of Massachusetts-Lowell (UMass Lowell) and the University of Connecticut (UConn). While both institutions offer a wide range of academic programs and opportunities, there are some key differences between them that prospective students should consider. These include acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. To help you make an informed decision about which university is the right fit for you, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that highlights these differences. Dive into the data and discover which institution aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.

	University of Connecticut	University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Overview
Location	Storrs, Connecticut	Lowell, Massachusetts
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	92.0%	82.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	55.6%	84.6%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1230 - 1430	1170 - 1340
ACT range	27 - 33	25 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	43.0%	26.0%
Students submitting ACT score	7.0%	2.0%
Total number of applicants	36,753	12,493
Total number of admissions given out	20,433	10,565
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,663	1,907
Yield rate	17.9%	18.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $37,266 Out of state: $59,934	In state: $24,672 Out of state: $42,598
Average net price	$22,168	$13,227
Tuition	In state: $15,030 Out of state: $37,698	In state: $15,078 Out of state: $33,004
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,238 Meal plan: $6,020	Room/dormitory: $8,500 Meal plan: $5,070
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	76.0% Average amount $15,801	78.0% Average amount $10,449
Students receiving federal student loan	35.0% Average amount $5,247	59.0% Average amount $5,148
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $21,780	5.0% Average amount $10,989

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	18,567 Men 47.6% Women 52.4%	12,884 Men 58.6% Women 41.4%
Graduate students	8,309 Men 45.1% Women 54.9%	4,713 Men 53.7% Women 46.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	35.3%	N/A
International students	12.3%	5.8%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	10,792	4,787
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Connecticut Mississippi New York New Jersey New Hampshire	Mississippi New Hampshire New York New Jersey Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Engineering Education Mathematics and Statistics	Business Engineering Health Professions Computer and Information Science Law Enforcement and Firefighting
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	83.1%	69.0%
Dropout rate	6.7%	28.0%
Transferred out	9.5%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $80,915 Year 2: $95,473 Year 3: $146,595 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $102,306 Year 2: $106,249 Year 3: $123,588 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $85,391 Year 2: $115,339 Year 3: $122,969 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,347 Year 2: $105,392 Year 3: $111,865 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $93,087 Year 2: $89,859 Year 3: $106,919 Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,556 Year 2: $89,144 Year 3: $95,923 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,033 Year 2: $79,473 Year 3: $92,299 Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,037 Year 2: $77,715 Year 3: $89,989 Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $78,073 Year 2: $86,621 Year 3: $88,550 Psychology, General (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $59,124 Year 3: $87,936	Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,995 Year 2: $71,575 Year 3: $92,580 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $71,575 Year 3: $90,960 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $81,072 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $89,338 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $81,208 Year 2: $71,854 Year 3: $88,920 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,889 Year 2: $78,612 Year 3: $88,135 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,760 Year 2: $63,501 Year 3: $77,826 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $51,707 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $77,121 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,655 Year 2: $66,989 Year 3: $74,462 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $67,655 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $73,578 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,402 Year 2: $60,623 Year 3: $73,430

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between UMass Lowell and UConn?

UMass Lowell is a public research university known for its strong engineering, science, and technology programs, with a focus on practical, hands-on learning. UConn, also a public research university, is a larger institution with a broader range of programs, including highly regarded business, law, and medical schools. UMass Lowell is generally considered more commuter-friendly, while UConn offers a more traditional, residential college experience.
Which university is larger: UMass Lowell or UConn?

UConn is significantly larger than UMass Lowell. UConn has a larger student body, a more extensive campus, and a wider array of academic departments and research facilities.
How do the academic reputations of UMass Lowell and UConn compare?

Both UMass Lowell and UConn are respected public universities. UConn generally holds a higher national ranking overall, particularly for its business, law, and medical programs. UMass Lowell is highly regarded for its engineering, computer science, and related STEM fields, often cited for its strong industry connections and co-op programs.
What are the tuition and fees like at UMass Lowell versus UConn?

Tuition and fees vary depending on residency status (in-state vs. out-of-state). Generally, UConn tends to be slightly more expensive than UMass Lowell, especially for out-of-state students. However, it's crucial to check the most current figures on each university's official website, as costs can change annually. Also, consider the availability of financial aid and scholarships at each institution.
What kind of campus environment can I expect at each school?

UMass Lowell offers a more urban campus environment, with a blend of traditional college buildings and modern facilities integrated into the city of Lowell. It's known for being more commuter-focused. UConn, located in Storrs, provides a more traditional, self-contained college town atmosphere with a strong emphasis on residential life and campus activities.
Which school is better for engineering and technology programs?

Both universities offer strong engineering and technology programs. UMass Lowell is particularly well-known for its practical, hands-on approach and close ties to the local tech industry. UConn also has reputable engineering programs, with a broader range of specializations and research opportunities due to its larger size and resources.
What are the athletic programs like at UMass Lowell and UConn?

UConn has a more prominent athletic program, particularly in basketball, and competes in the NCAA Division I Big East Conference. UMass Lowell also competes in NCAA Division I, but in the America East Conference. UConn's athletic programs generally receive more national attention and have a larger following.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

Both universities offer career services to assist students with internships and job placement. UMass Lowell benefits from its location near Boston's tech hub, providing numerous internship and job opportunities in the STEM fields. UConn's career services are extensive, leveraging its alumni network and connections across various industries, including business and healthcare.
What is the student life like at UMass Lowell versus UConn?

UConn offers a more traditional, residential college experience with a vibrant campus life, numerous student organizations, and a strong sense of community. UMass Lowell, while offering student activities and organizations, tends to be more commuter-focused, with a significant portion of the student body living off-campus.
Which school is located closer to a major city?

UMass Lowell is located closer to Boston, providing easy access to the city's cultural attractions, job market, and transportation hubs. UConn is located in Storrs, which is more rural, but still within driving distance of Hartford and other cities in Connecticut.
What types of research opportunities are available at each university?

Both UMass Lowell and UConn are research universities, offering various research opportunities for students. UConn, being a larger institution, generally has a broader range of research areas and funding opportunities. UMass Lowell focuses its research efforts in areas like nanotechnology, advanced materials, and biomedical engineering, often collaborating with industry partners.
How do the graduate programs compare between UMass Lowell and UConn?

UConn offers a wider array of graduate programs, including professional schools like law, medicine, and business, which UMass Lowell does not have. UMass Lowell has strong graduate programs in engineering, computer science, and related STEM fields, often tailored to meet the needs of the local industry.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.