UMass Lowell vs Villanova University

When it comes to higher education, University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Villanova University stand out as two distinct institutions with unique offerings. UMass-Lowell, a public research university, boasts an acceptance rate of 79%, while Villanova, a private Catholic university, has a more selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 34%. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with UMass-Lowell excelling in fields like Engineering, Business, and Health Sciences, and Villanova excelling in Business, Engineering, and Nursing. While UMass-Lowell's student body is predominantly made up of in-state students, Villanova attracts a more diverse student population from across the country and around the world. With UMass-Lowell's graduation rate at 68% and Villanova's at 89%, both universities prioritize student success and provide ample resources to help students achieve their academic goals. To help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey,

	University of Massachusetts-Lowell	Villanova University
Overview
Location	Lowell, Massachusetts	Villanova, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	82.0%	96.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation		Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	84.6%	25.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1170 - 1340	1350 - 1490
ACT range	25 - 32	31 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	26.0%	28.0%
Students submitting ACT score	2.0%	17.0%
Total number of applicants	12,493	24,410
Total number of admissions given out	10,565	6,162
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,907	1,772
Yield rate	18.1%	28.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $24,672 Out of state: $42,598	$77,806
Average net price	$13,227	$33,123
Tuition	In state: $15,078 Out of state: $33,004	$58,290
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,500 Meal plan: $5,070	Room/dormitory: $8,236 Meal plan: $7,150
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	78.0% Average amount $10,449	52.0% Average amount $43,106
Students receiving federal student loan	59.0% Average amount $5,148	34.0% Average amount $5,267
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $10,989	7.0% Average amount $29,933

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	12,884 Men 58.6% Women 41.4%	7,032 Men 45.6% Women 54.4%
Graduate students	4,713 Men 53.7% Women 46.3%	3,838 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	80.7%
International students	5.8%	3.6%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	4,787	5,400
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Mississippi New Hampshire New York New Jersey Pennsylvania	New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Connecticut Maryland

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Engineering Health Professions Computer and Information Science Law Enforcement and Firefighting	Business Engineering Health Professions Legal Profession Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio	18:1	11:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	69.0%	91.3%
Dropout rate	28.0%	1.5%
Transferred out	N/A	7.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	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	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $114,668 Year 2: $165,766 Year 3: $171,511 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $124,137 Year 2: $100,740 Year 3: $121,765 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,590 Year 2: $109,095 Year 3: $118,365 Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,687 Year 2: $90,856 Year 3: $106,587 Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,782 Year 2: $71,351 Year 3: $91,484 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,757 Year 2: $73,579 Year 3: $88,419 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,583 Year 2: $80,218 Year 3: $88,254 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,297 Year 2: $71,947 Year 3: $86,990 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,492 Year 2: $72,214 Year 3: $85,108 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,115 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $84,596

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between UMass Lowell and Villanova University?

UMass Lowell is a public research university known for its strong engineering, science, and technology programs, particularly benefiting students seeking hands-on research opportunities and a focus on practical application. Villanova University, on the other hand, is a private, Catholic university with a strong liberal arts tradition, emphasizing a well-rounded education and a close-knit community. Villanova is generally considered more selective and has a higher tuition cost than UMass Lowell.
Which university is better for STEM fields?

While both universities offer strong STEM programs, UMass Lowell is generally considered to have a stronger emphasis and broader range of offerings in engineering, computer science, and related fields. Its research facilities and industry partnerships are particularly noteworthy. Villanova also has reputable STEM programs, but its focus is more balanced across various disciplines.
How do the campus environments compare?

UMass Lowell has a more urban campus environment, located in the city of Lowell, Massachusetts. This provides students with access to city amenities and internship opportunities. Villanova University boasts a more traditional, suburban campus setting in Villanova, Pennsylvania, offering a more self-contained and community-focused experience.
What is the difference in tuition and cost of attendance?

UMass Lowell, as a public university, generally has lower tuition costs, especially for in-state students. Villanova University, being a private institution, has a significantly higher tuition cost. The overall cost of attendance, including room and board, will also be higher at Villanova. Be sure to check the universities' websites for the most up-to-date figures.
Which university is more selective in its admissions process?

Villanova University is generally more selective in its admissions process than UMass Lowell. Villanova typically requires higher standardized test scores and a stronger academic record. UMass Lowell, while still competitive, may be more accessible to a wider range of students.
How do the student bodies differ?

UMass Lowell has a more diverse student body, reflecting its public university status and commitment to accessibility. Villanova University's student body is somewhat less diverse, with a higher percentage of students from the Mid-Atlantic region and a stronger representation of Catholic students.
What are the strengths of UMass Lowell's co-op program?

UMass Lowell's co-op program is a major strength, providing students with valuable real-world work experience in their field of study. This program is particularly strong in engineering and technology, allowing students to gain practical skills and build connections with potential employers. Many students receive job offers from their co-op employers after graduation.
What are some notable aspects of Villanova's academic culture?

Villanova University is known for its strong emphasis on a liberal arts education, even within its professional programs. The university fosters a close-knit community and encourages students to engage in service and leadership activities. The Augustinian values of truth, unity, and love are central to the university's mission.
Which university is better for students interested in Greek life?

Villanova University has a more prominent Greek life presence compared to UMass Lowell. While UMass Lowell does have fraternities and sororities, they are not as central to the social scene as they are at Villanova. Students interested in a strong Greek life experience may find Villanova a better fit.
How do the career services compare at UMass Lowell and Villanova?

Both universities offer career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career planning. UMass Lowell's career services are particularly strong in connecting students with local and regional employers in the technology and engineering sectors. Villanova's career services benefit from the university's strong alumni network and connections in the business and finance industries.
What kind of research opportunities are available at each university?

UMass Lowell is a research-intensive university with numerous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in cutting-edge research projects, particularly in STEM fields. Villanova also offers research opportunities, but the emphasis is often on faculty-mentored research projects that align with the university's liberal arts mission. UMass Lowell generally has more funding dedicated to large-scale research initiatives.
How do the athletic programs compare?

Villanova University is known for its highly successful Division I athletic programs, particularly in basketball. UMass Lowell also competes in Division I athletics, but its programs are generally less prominent on a national level. Students who prioritize attending a university with a strong athletic tradition and a passionate fan base may prefer Villanova.

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