Fitchburg State vs. MCLA

Comparable Facts

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

Fitchburg State University is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 896 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Fitchburg 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: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1.

Fitchburg State vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State University than MCLA ($15,340 vs. $16,544).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 0.4% lower than at Fitchburg State University ($15,386 vs. $15,452).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is 9.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $1,090 more per year; $12,436.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.7% higher at MCLA than at Fitchburg State University (about $3,955 more per year; $21,381.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at Fitchburg State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fitchburg State University students is 27.6% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($11,539 vs. $9,045).

Fitchburg State vs. MCLA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fitchburg State University (1150) is 80 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; 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: Fitchburg State - Test optional; MCLA - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Fitchburg State students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than Fitchburg State (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 11.5% at MCLA.

Fitchburg State vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Fitchburg State University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $1,974 lower median loan debt than MCLA graduates ($22,685 vs. $24,659).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCLA graduates ($234 vs. $254).
• More Fitchburg State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.