CCSU vs. MCLA

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, CT with Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Connecticut State University is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (9,997 students vs. 896 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Connecticut State University is located in New Britain, CT (Large Suburban setting); Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Central Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Connecticut State University 14:1; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1.

CCSU vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CCSU or MCLA? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than CCSU ($16,544 vs. $17,528).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Connecticut State University are 14.9% lower than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($13,086 vs. $15,386).
• Central Connecticut State University is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $614 more per year; $13,050.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.2% higher at MCLA than at Central Connecticut State University (about $4,831 more per year; $21,381.00 vs. $16,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at Central Connecticut State University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students is 2.3% larger than aid received by Central Connecticut State University students ($9,045 vs. $8,842).

CCSU vs. MCLA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CCSU or MCLA? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MCLA and CCSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central Connecticut State University (1080) is 10 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Connecticut State University 960/1190; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMassachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CCSU - Test optional; MCLA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CCSU Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CCSU students have the same average high school GPA (3.2) as students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than CCSU (73.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at CCSU vs. 11.5% at MCLA.

CCSU vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CCSU and MCLA? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Central Connecticut State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Central Connecticut State University earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Connecticut State University graduates have a $2,159 lower median loan debt than MCLA graduates ($22,500 vs. $24,659).
• Among borrowers, CCSU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCLA graduates ($232 vs. $254).
• More MCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CCSU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.