Head-to-head comparison
University of Massachusetts-Lowell vs Western New England University: which has better ROI?
Option A Lowell, MA
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
- Net price / year
- $17,163
- Earnings, 10 years
- $64,874
- Payback
- 4.2 yrs
Option B Springfield, MA
Western New England University
- Net price / year
- $27,290
- Earnings, 10 years
- $73,157
- Payback
- 4.4 yrs
University of Massachusetts-Lowell has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $68,652 in 4.2 years versus 4.4 years at Western New England University, on median earnings of $64,874 vs $73,157 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Massachusetts-Lowell | Western New England University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,163 | $27,290 |
| Total net cost | $68,652 | $109,160 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,874 | $73,157 |
| Median debt | $23,704 | $25,500 |
| Payback | 4.2 yrs | 4.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $261,628 | $386,780 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Western New England University?
University of Massachusetts-Lowell, at $17,163 a year after aid versus $27,290 — a gap of $10,127 a year, or $40,508 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-Lowell or Western New England University graduates earn more?
Western New England University graduates report a median $73,157 ten years after entry, $8,283 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-Lowell or Western New England University?
University of Massachusetts-Lowell: its completers carry a median $23,704 in federal loans versus $25,500 at Western New England University, a difference of $1,796. 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 64% at Western New England University. 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.