Hampshire College vs. MCLA

Comparable Facts

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

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is larger than Hampshire College based on total student enrollment (896 students vs. 844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hampshire College is located in Amherst, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Hampshire 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: Hampshire College 13:1; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1.

Hampshire College vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hampshire 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 Hampshire College ($16,544 vs. $27,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 3.6% lower than at Hampshire College ($15,386 vs. $15,958).
• Hampshire College is 373.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $46,460 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 175.5% higher at Hampshire College than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $37,515 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampshire College than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampshire College students is 410.2% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($46,145 vs. $9,045).

Hampshire College vs. MCLA Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMassachusetts 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: Hampshire College - Test-free; MCLA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hampshire College Jan 15, 2027.
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than Hampshire College (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at Hampshire College vs. 11.5% at MCLA.

Hampshire College vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hampshire 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).

• Hampshire College's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's (53%).
• Graduates of Hampshire College and MCLA have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $37,100), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hampshire College graduates have a $1,128 lower median loan debt than MCLA graduates ($23,531 vs. $24,659).
• Among borrowers, Hampshire College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCLA graduates ($243 vs. $254).
• More Hampshire College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.