Bay Path University vs. MCLA

Should I go to Bay Path University or Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bay Path University or MCLA is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Bay Path University vs. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts comparison
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Bay Path University
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Overview

 Bay Path University MCLA
Location Longmeadow, MA North Adams, MA
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 2,465 938
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #614
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website baypath.edu mcla.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Bay Path University MCLA
Tuition (In State) $35,781 $1,030
Tuition (Out of State) $35,781 $9,975
Room & Board $12,799 $13,632
Avg Net Price $18,502 $15,377
Avg Grant Aid $27,913 $9,044
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 100%

Admission

 Bay Path University MCLA
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 788 1,456
Admitted 596 1,346
Acceptance Rate 75.6% 92.4%
Enrolled % 23.3% 13.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.2
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/21
SAT Range 1020/1140 960/1180
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Bay Path University MCLA
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (31%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Legal Professions (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • English and Literature (20%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

 Bay Path University MCLA
Graduation Rate 65% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,500 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,011 $24,659
Median Loan Payment $248 $254

Diversity

 Bay Path University MCLA
% Men 5% 42%
% Women 95% 58%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 55% 74%
% Black 14% 9%
% Hispanic 19% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 6% 4%

Students

 Bay Path University MCLA
% In-State 65% 55%
% Out-of-State 35% 45%

Campus

 Bay Path University MCLA
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Bay Path University is larger than than MCLA based on total student enrollment (2,465 students vs. 938 students)

Bay Path University vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bay Path University or MCLA?

  • Bay Path University is 3,373.9% more expensive to attend than MCLA for in-state tuition ($35,781.00 vs. $1,030.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 258.7% higher at Bay Path University than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($35,781.00 vs. $9,975.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than Bay Path University ($15,377 vs. $18,502)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bay Path University are 6.5% lower than costs at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($12,799 vs. $13,632)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than Bay Path University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bay Path University students is 208.6% larger than aid received Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($27,913 vs. $9,044)

Bay Path University vs. MCLA Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bay Path University or MCLA? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between MCLA or Bay Path University .

  • Accepted freshman Bay Path University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at MCLA (3.2)
  • MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than Bay Path University (75.6%)

Bay Path University vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bay Path University or MCLA? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between MCLA and Bay Path University.

  • The graduation rate at Bay Path University is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (65% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Bay Path University earn on average $6,400 more per year than MCLA graduates after ten years. ($43,500 vs. $37,100)
  • Bay Path University students graduate with a $648 lower median federal student loan debt than MCLA graduates. ($24,011 vs. $24,659)
  • Bay Path University graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than MCLA graduates. ($248 vs. $254)
  • More MCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bay Path University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/