Gordon College vs. MCLA

Comparable Facts

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

Gordon College is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (1,595 students vs. 896 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gordon College is located in Wenham, MA (Large Suburban setting); Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Gordon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon College 10:1; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1.

Gordon College vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon College 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 Gordon College ($16,544 vs. $25,299).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon College are 13.6% lower than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($13,300 vs. $15,386).
• Gordon College is 146.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $18,264 more per year; $30,700.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.6% higher at Gordon College than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $9,319 more per year; $30,700.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gordon College than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gordon College students is 85.8% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($16,802 vs. $9,045).

Gordon College vs. MCLA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gordon College 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 Gordon College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gordon College (1240) is 170 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Incoming Gordon College students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 19 at MCLA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon College 1130/1355; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon College 25/31; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon College - Test optional; MCLA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gordon College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gordon College students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than Gordon College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Gordon College vs. 11.5% at MCLA.

Gordon College vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon College 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).

• Gordon College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's (53%).
• Graduates from Gordon College earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates have a $2,341 lower median loan debt than Gordon College graduates ($24,659 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gordon College graduates ($254 vs. $279).
• More Gordon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.