Suffolk vs UMass Lowell

Suffolk University and University of Massachusetts-Lowell, both located in Massachusetts, offer distinct educational experiences. Suffolk University, a private institution in the heart of Boston, boasts a diverse student body and a strong focus on experiential learning. UMass-Lowell, a public research university, is known for its affordability, strong engineering and science programs, and commitment to sustainability. With different acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, these universities cater to different student needs and aspirations. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which institution aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.

	Suffolk University	University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Overview
Location	Boston, Massachusetts	Lowell, Massachusetts
Campus setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	78.0%	82.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	88.0%	84.6%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1080 - 1280	1170 - 1340
ACT range	23 - 29	25 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	19.0%	26.0%
Students submitting ACT score	3.0%	2.0%
Total number of applicants	7,501	12,493
Total number of admissions given out	6,603	10,565
Admitted students who chose to enroll	982	1,907
Yield rate	14.9%	18.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$66,127	In state: $24,672 Out of state: $42,598
Average net price	$32,393	$13,227
Tuition	$41,242	In state: $15,078 Out of state: $33,004
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $14,850 Meal plan: $3,646	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)	97.0% Average amount $25,670	78.0% Average amount $10,449
Students receiving federal student loan	62.0% Average amount $5,337	59.0% Average amount $5,148
Students taking out private loans	18.0% Average amount $16,757	5.0% Average amount $10,989

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	4,227 Men 41.0% Women 59.0%	12,884 Men 58.6% Women 41.4%
Graduate students	2,420 Men 37.1% Women 62.9%	4,713 Men 53.7% Women 46.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	13.5%	5.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	1,570	4,787
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New Hampshire Connecticut Rhode Island New York California	Mississippi New Hampshire New York New Jersey Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Legal Profession Communication and Journalism Public Administration and Social Service Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Business Engineering Health Professions Computer and Information Science Law Enforcement and Firefighting
Students to faculty ratio	13:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	60.3%	69.0%
Dropout rate	11.5%	28.0%
Transferred out	27.7%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business/Managerial Economics (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $116,870 Year 2: $97,071 Year 3: $98,105 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $77,557 Year 2: $83,388 Year 3: $91,689 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,460 Year 2: $87,973 Year 3: $90,316 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $69,669 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $85,861 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $72,980 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $82,759 Marketing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $69,895 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $81,268 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,555 Year 2: $67,273 Year 3: $77,798 Law (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $56,355 Year 2: $59,253 Year 3: $72,153 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $49,040 Year 2: $52,941 Year 3: $67,609 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,995 Year 2: $62,260 Year 3: $65,266	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 in location and campus environment between Suffolk University and UMass Lowell?

Suffolk University is located in the heart of downtown Boston, offering a vibrant urban campus experience surrounded by historical landmarks, government buildings, and a bustling city life. UMass Lowell, on the other hand, is situated in Lowell, Massachusetts, providing a more traditional campus setting with a mix of urban and suburban elements. UMass Lowell's campus is more spread out, while Suffolk's is integrated directly into the city.
How do the academic focuses of Suffolk University and UMass Lowell differ?

Suffolk University is known for its strong programs in law, business, and the liberal arts, particularly those related to government and public service, given its proximity to the State House. UMass Lowell excels in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), as well as business and health sciences, with a strong emphasis on research and practical application.
What is the typical student body size and composition at each university?

Suffolk University has a smaller student body, typically around 7,000-8,000 students, fostering a more intimate learning environment. UMass Lowell is larger, with approximately 18,000 students, offering a wider range of perspectives and experiences. Both universities attract a diverse student population, but UMass Lowell tends to have a larger proportion of students from Massachusetts, while Suffolk draws more students from outside the state and internationally.
How do the costs of attending Suffolk University and UMass Lowell compare?

Generally, Suffolk University has a higher tuition cost compared to UMass Lowell, reflecting its private institution status and downtown Boston location. UMass Lowell, as a public university, offers more affordable tuition, especially for Massachusetts residents. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on financial aid packages, scholarships, and living expenses. It's best to check the most recent tuition and fees on each university's website.
What types of student activities and extracurricular opportunities are available at each university?

Suffolk University offers a wide range of clubs and organizations, with a focus on those related to law, politics, and urban affairs, as well as arts and culture. Its location provides easy access to Boston's many cultural and entertainment venues. UMass Lowell has a strong emphasis on STEM-related clubs, sports, and research opportunities. They also have a robust Greek life and a variety of student organizations catering to diverse interests.
How do the career services and internship opportunities differ between Suffolk University and UMass Lowell?

Suffolk University's location in downtown Boston provides students with excellent internship and job opportunities in government, law, finance, and business. Their career services are tailored to leveraging these local connections. UMass Lowell's career services focus on connecting students with opportunities in STEM fields, manufacturing, and healthcare, particularly within the Massachusetts technology corridor. They also emphasize co-op programs and industry partnerships.
What are the residential life options like at Suffolk University and UMass Lowell?

Suffolk University primarily offers apartment-style housing in downtown Boston, providing students with a more independent living experience. UMass Lowell offers a wider variety of traditional dormitories, suite-style housing, and apartment-style options, catering to different preferences and needs. UMass Lowell also has more of a traditional campus feel with dining halls and common areas, while Suffolk's residential life is more integrated into the city.
How does the faculty and teaching style differ between the two universities?

Suffolk University's faculty often have extensive professional experience in their respective fields, bringing real-world insights into the classroom. The teaching style tends to be more discussion-based and interactive, with smaller class sizes. UMass Lowell's faculty includes many leading researchers and experts in STEM fields. The teaching style often incorporates hands-on learning, laboratory work, and research projects, especially in STEM disciplines. Class sizes can vary, with some larger introductory courses.
What are the admission requirements and acceptance rates for Suffolk University and UMass Lowell?

Admission requirements for both universities typically include high school transcripts, standardized test scores (though many programs are test-optional), letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. UMass Lowell generally has a higher acceptance rate than Suffolk University, making it slightly less competitive to get into. However, specific program requirements and acceptance rates can vary, so it's best to check each university's admissions website for the most up-to-date information.
Which university is better for students interested in law or government?

Suffolk University is generally considered a stronger choice for students specifically interested in law or government due to its renowned law school, proximity to the State House, and strong connections to the legal and political community in Boston. While UMass Lowell offers political science programs, Suffolk's focus and location give it a distinct advantage in these fields.
Which university is better for students interested in STEM fields?

UMass Lowell is generally considered a stronger choice for students interested in STEM fields. It has a strong reputation for its engineering, science, and technology programs, with significant research opportunities and industry partnerships. While Suffolk offers science programs, UMass Lowell's focus and resources in STEM are more extensive.
Do both universities offer graduate programs?

Yes, both Suffolk University and UMass Lowell offer a variety of graduate programs. Suffolk University is particularly well-known for its graduate programs in law, business, and public administration. UMass Lowell offers a wide range of graduate programs in STEM fields, business, education, and the humanities.

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.

Suffolk

University of New Haven