At $18,627/yr net price, University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates earn $64,874/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $30,874/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,627 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $74,508 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $64,874/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$30,874/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 70.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,704 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,460/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,220/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,576/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,633/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,648/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $84,653 | $34,093 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $78,612 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $74,576 | |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $74,576 | $26,277 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $71,854 | $21,720 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $71,575 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Certificate | $71,575 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $69,338 | $61,500 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $69,338 | |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $67,660 |
The Risk Factor
70.1% of students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 30% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
UMass Lowell gives you a solid financial return, especially if you land in engineering. With a 70% graduation rate and a median debt near $24,000, most graduates finish and pay down what they borrowed on earnings that clear $64,000 a decade out. That debt-to-earnings ratio sits in healthy territory, and the school's location in the Merrimack Valley puts you inside a strong Massachusetts tech and healthcare job market.
The engineering and computing programs are where the money is. Computer Engineering and Computer Science graduates out-earn the school median by roughly $7,000 to $10,000, and Electrical and Chemical Engineering follow close behind. Nursing pays near the school median with steady demand in the region. Every top-earning program carries similar debt, around $25,000 to $27,000, so the difference in payoff comes almost entirely from which field you pick, not what you borrow.
The risk here is program choice. UMass Lowell is an engineering-heavy school, and the listed salary data covers technical majors. If you enroll in a non-technical program, the strong outcomes above may not apply to you, and the $64,874 median is pulled up by engineering earners. Go in for the STEM fields, and the numbers work.
This school is a good fit for you if you're aiming at engineering, computing, or nursing and want a public-school price. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $10,000 to $11,000 a year, which makes an engineering degree here one of the better values in Massachusetts. Above $110,000 in family income, you pay closer to $26,600, still reasonable for the engineering salaries but worth weighing against private options. Look elsewhere if your target major sits outside the technical fields that drive this school's earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Massachusetts-Lowell worth the cost?
UMass-Lowell offers solid value with a net price of $18,627 and 10-year earnings of $64,874. The engineering and nursing programs provide strong returns, but the overall ROI depends heavily on your chosen field.
What are the best paying majors at University of Massachusetts-Lowell?
Nursing programs lead earnings at $84,653 annually, followed by electrical engineering at $78,612 and mechanical engineering at $74,576. Business administration graduates earn $71,854, which is decent but not exceptional.
How much debt do University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates have?
The median debt is $23,704, which is manageable compared to many schools. With engineering and nursing salaries above $70,000, most graduates can handle this debt load reasonably well.
What is the graduation rate at University of Massachusetts-Lowell?
The graduation rate is 70.1%, which is average for a public university. This means about 3 in 10 students don't finish, adding risk if you're not committed to completing your degree.