Head-to-head comparison
University of Massachusetts-Boston vs University of Massachusetts-Lowell: which has better ROI?
Option A Boston, MA
University of Massachusetts-Boston
- Net price / year
- $17,707
- Earnings, 10 years
- $65,865
- Payback
- 4 yrs
Option B Lowell, MA
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
- Net price / year
- $17,163
- Earnings, 10 years
- $64,874
- Payback
- 4.2 yrs
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.
The short answer
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.
The short answer
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.
The short answer
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.
The short answer
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.