University of Massachusetts-Boston vs University of Massachusetts-Lowell: which has better ROI?
University of Massachusetts-Boston has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $70,828 in 4 years versus 4.2 years at University of Massachusetts-Lowell, on median earnings of $65,865 vs $64,874 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Massachusetts-Boston | University of Massachusetts-Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,707 | $17,163 |
| Total net cost | $70,828 | $68,652 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $65,865 | $64,874 |
| Median debt | $21,974 | $23,704 |
| Payback | 4 yrs | 4.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $279,272 | $261,628 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Massachusetts-Boston or University of Massachusetts-Lowell?
University of Massachusetts-Lowell, at $17,163 a year after aid versus $17,707 — a gap of $544 a year, or $2,176 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-Boston or University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates earn more?
University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates report a median $65,865 ten years after entry, $991 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-Boston or University of Massachusetts-Lowell?
University of Massachusetts-Boston: its completers carry a median $21,974 in federal loans versus $23,704 at University of Massachusetts-Lowell, a difference of $1,730. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
65% of students finish at University of Massachusetts-Lowell, against 49% at University of Massachusetts-Boston. 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.