Fitchburg State vs. Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fitchburg State University is larger than Massachusetts College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 1,989 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Massachusetts College of Art and Design is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Massachusetts College of Art and Design 9:1.

Fitchburg State vs. Massachusetts College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or Massachusetts College of Art and Design? 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 Fitchburg State University than Massachusetts College of Art and Design ($15,340 vs. $24,864).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 20.4% lower than at Massachusetts College of Art and Design ($15,452 vs. $19,412).
• Massachusetts College of Art and Design is 35.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $4,054 more per year; $15,400.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 149.1% higher at Massachusetts College of Art and Design than at Fitchburg State University (about $25,974 more per year; $43,400.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fitchburg State University than at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (92% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fitchburg State University students is 10.7% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Art and Design students ($11,539 vs. $10,421).

Fitchburg State vs. Massachusetts College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or Massachusetts College of Art and Design? 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 Massachusetts College of Art and Design and Fitchburg State.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Massachusetts College of Art and Design - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Massachusetts College of Art and Design Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Massachusetts College of Art and Design students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Massachusetts College of Art and Design (76.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 17.3% at Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

Fitchburg State vs. Massachusetts College of Art and Design Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and Massachusetts College of Art and Design? 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 Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Fitchburg State University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Massachusetts College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $38,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $2,565 lower median loan debt than Massachusetts College of Art and Design graduates ($22,685 vs. $25,250).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Massachusetts College of Art and Design graduates ($234 vs. $261).
• More Fitchburg State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Massachusetts College of Art and Design students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 64%)

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.