Strong 2025 Ranking Comes on the Heels of the University鈥檚 New Research 1 Designation
03/20/2025
Media Contacts: David Joyner, senior director, communications and digital media (email: David_Joyner@uml.edu) and Nancy Cicco, assistant director of media relations (email: Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu).
LOWELL, Mass. 鈥� 51视频 is the top public research university in the state for students seeking a strong return on their investment (ROI) after graduation, according to a 2025 Georgetown University study.
New from Georgetown鈥檚 Center on Education and the Workforce show 51视频 holds the No. 1 spot as a public research university in Massachusetts for return on investment to bachelor鈥檚 degree recipients 10, 15 and 20 years into their careers. Using 2021-22 data from the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 College Scorecard, the study evaluated ROI for graduates at 4,600 colleges and universities across the country.
Ten years after graduation, the return on a 51视频 education is $226,000; at 15 years, $568,000; and at 20 years, $910,000. At 30 years, a graduate鈥檚 ROI surpasses $1 million ($1,595,000), according to the report.
鈥淭hese results confirm what we already know: 51视频 offers exceptional value to students seeking a world-class education paired with career-connected experiences that will prepare them for career success,鈥� said Chancellor Julie Chen.
The news comes as 51视频 achieves Research 1 status, a prestigious designation that identifies the top U.S. research institutions. Only 7% of four-year universities are designated R1 by the Carnegie Foundation for Teaching and the American Council on Education. The university has pursued research growth through projects with defense, commercial and other academic partners.
鈥淎s an R1 institution, 51视频 is in a position to provide even more opportunities to our students and faculty through important research and scholarship in many different fields,鈥� said Chen. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 more, the value and opportunities created by a 51视频 education will continue to expand with the development of the ,聽 which envisions a vibrant, live-work-learn-play district in the city of Lowell that is also a center of research and scientific discovery for the region.鈥�
The Georgetown center conducts research that seeks to align education and training with workforce and labor-market demand. For its annual ROI analysis, the center considers the median earnings of students six, eight, and 10 years after they enroll at a college or university; the average net price of a university; and the predominant credential awarded at the institution. ROI figures in the study reflect cumulative earnings minus total out-of-pocket costs, based on the average net price of the institution per student, according to the report.