Lowell was one of America's first big mill towns, and brick textile mills still line its canals and the Merrimack River. UMass Lowell has converted several of them and spreads across campuses on both sides of the river. It's a public research university known for engineering, plastics engineering, computer science and nursing, with plenty of co-op and industry projects. Boston is under an hour south by commuter rail.
Lowell, Massachusetts, United States
Official website: uml.edu
Public research university, UMass system
A textile school founded in the 1890s
On the Merrimack River, Lowell
NCAA Division I River Hawks
$30,000 – $40,000
Non-resident students, undergraduate and graduate
$16,000 – $20,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on uml.edu before you apply.
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MS Plastics Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MS Mechanical Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MS Business Analytics
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
BS Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
One of the few plastics engineering programmes in the US.
Campuses along the Merrimack River in a historic mill city.
Co-op placements with Massachusetts employers.
Engineering and computing graduates join Greater Boston's tech, defence and medical-device firms.
Plastics engineering graduates are hired by materials and manufacturing companies worldwide.
STEM graduates can apply for up to three years of OPT.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Lowell's downtown is built around canals and old mills, many now flats, studios and the Lowell National Historical Park. Rent is lower than in Boston, though not cheap.
The commuter rail runs from Lowell to Boston's North Station in about 45 minutes. Winters are cold and snowy, and New Hampshire's lakes and mountains make an easy weekend trip.
Form I-20 issued by University of Massachusetts Lowell
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
UMass Lowell has early action and regular decision dates for undergraduates, around November and February. Graduate programmes review on a rolling basis, with suggested dates for international students a few months before each semester.
Most programmes start in the fall (September) or spring (January).
You'll need an F-1 visa. Once you accept your offer and send proof of funding, University of Massachusetts Lowell issues the Form I-20. After that it's the SEVIS fee, the DS-160 form and an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Computer science, plastics engineering, mechanical engineering and business analytics are popular. Graduate programmes need a relevant bachelor's degree and IELTS 6.5; undergraduates need strong school grades and IELTS 6.5.
Yes. UMass Lowell gives merit scholarships to international undergraduates at admission, and some graduate students receive assistantships or tuition waivers.
