University of Massachusetts-Lowell — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Massachusetts-Lowell charges a net price of $17,163/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $68,652. Graduates earn a median $64,874 ten years after entry, $16,514/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.2 years — a 20-year net return of $261,628, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Massachusetts-Lowell's 4.2-year payback ranks #323 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 75% of them, and #22 of 85 in Massachusetts.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $17,163/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $68,652 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $64,874 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $16,514/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $23,704 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $261,628 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Massachusetts-Lowell's own numbers. Net price $17,163 × 4 years = $68,652 total. Median earnings $64,874 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $16,514 a year of premium. $68,652 ÷ $16,514 = 4.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $261,628. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Massachusetts-Lowell students graduate with?
A median $23,704 in federal loans among completers, or 37% of the $64,874 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Massachusetts-Lowell students graduate?
65% finish their degree — 35% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $68,652 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $105,618 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Massachusetts-Lowell expensive compared with other Massachusetts colleges?
Its $17,163 net price runs $7,720 below the $24,883 median across the 85 Massachusetts colleges we profile, and $30,880 less across the full degree.