Fitchburg State vs. MHC

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fitchburg State University is larger than MHC based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 2,275 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Mount Holyoke College is in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Mount Holyoke College 9:1.

Fitchburg State vs. MHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or MHC? 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 MHC ($15,340 vs. $32,526).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 21.5% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($15,452 vs. $19,684).
• Mount Holyoke College is 490.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $55,672 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 284.6% higher at MHC than at Fitchburg State University (about $49,592 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fitchburg State University than at Mount Holyoke College (92% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Holyoke College students is 354.3% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($52,418 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. MHC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or MHC? 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 MHC and Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Holyoke College (1460) is 310 points higher than at Fitchburg State (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMount Holyoke College 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; MHC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MHC students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than MHC (36%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 27.2% at MHC.

Fitchburg State vs. MHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and MHC? 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).

• Mount Holyoke College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Mount Holyoke College earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Holyoke College graduates have a $1,479 lower median loan debt than Fitchburg State graduates ($21,206 vs. $22,685).
• Among borrowers, MHC graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fitchburg State graduates ($219 vs. $234).
• More MHC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 65%)

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.