Hampshire College vs. MCLA

Should I go to Hampshire College or Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Hampshire College or MCLA is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Hampshire College vs. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts comparison
Hampshire College Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts College 3 College 4
Hampshire College
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Overview

 Hampshire College MCLA
Location Amherst, MA North Adams, MA
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 717 933
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website hampshire.edu mcla.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Hampshire College MCLA
Tuition (In State) $54,892 $1,030
Tuition (Out of State) $54,892 $9,975
Room & Board $15,154 $14,634
Avg Net Price $27,556 $17,705
Avg Grant Aid $43,944 $9,606
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

 Hampshire College MCLA
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,216 1,543
Admitted 1,559 1,425
Acceptance Rate 70.4% 92.4%
Enrolled % 16.6% 13.4%
Avg High School GPA - 3.2
Typical High School Grades - B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/21
SAT Range 960/1180
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2026

Academics

 Hampshire College MCLA
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (26%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • English and Literature (13%)
  • General Studies (7%)
  • Ethnic Studies (6%)
  • English and Literature (20%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

 Hampshire College MCLA
Graduation Rate 61% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,531 $24,659
Median Loan Payment $243 $254

Diversity

 Hampshire College MCLA
% Men 0% 3%
% Women 0% 7%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 74%
% Black 4% 9%
% Hispanic 11% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 3%
% International 5% 0%
% Unknown Race 4% 4%

Students

 Hampshire College MCLA
% In-State 27% 55%
% Out-of-State 68% 41%

Campus

 Hampshire College MCLA
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is larger than than Hampshire College based on total student enrollment (933 students vs. 717 students)

Hampshire College vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hampshire College or MCLA?

  • Hampshire College is 5,229.3% more expensive to attend than MCLA for in-state tuition ($54,892.00 vs. $1,030.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 450.3% higher at Hampshire College than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($54,892.00 vs. $9,975.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than Hampshire College ($17,705 vs. $27,556)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 3.6% lower than costs at Hampshire College ($14,634 vs. $15,154)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Hampshire College than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hampshire College students is 357.5% larger than aid received Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($43,944 vs. $9,606)

Hampshire College vs. MCLA Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hampshire College or MCLA? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between MCLA or Hampshire College .

  • MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than Hampshire College (70.4%)

Hampshire College vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Hampshire College or MCLA? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between MCLA and Hampshire College.

  • The graduation rate at Hampshire College is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (61% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates of Hampshire College and MCLA have equivalent average earnings after ten years ($37,100 vs. $37,100)
  • Hampshire College students graduate with a $1,128 lower median federal student loan debt than MCLA graduates. ($23,531 vs. $24,659)
  • Hampshire College graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans 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/