University of Massachusetts-Amherst vs University of Massachusetts-Lowell: which has better ROI?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,532 in 3.8 years versus 4.2 years at University of Massachusetts-Lowell, on median earnings of $71,631 vs $64,874 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Massachusetts-Amherst | University of Massachusetts-Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,383 | $17,163 |
| Total net cost | $89,532 | $68,652 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $71,631 | $64,874 |
| Median debt | $22,763 | $23,704 |
| Payback | 3.8 yrs | 4.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $375,888 | $261,628 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Massachusetts-Amherst or University of Massachusetts-Lowell?
University of Massachusetts-Lowell, at $17,163 a year after aid versus $22,383 — a gap of $5,220 a year, or $20,880 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Massachusetts-Amherst or University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates earn more?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduates report a median $71,631 ten years after entry, $6,757 more than the $64,874 at University of Massachusetts-Lowell. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Massachusetts-Amherst or University of Massachusetts-Lowell?
University of Massachusetts-Amherst: its completers carry a median $22,763 in federal loans versus $23,704 at University of Massachusetts-Lowell, a difference of $941. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
83% of students finish at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, against 65% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.