Lesley University vs. Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare Lesley University in Cambridge, MA with Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lesley University is larger than Massachusetts College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (2,557 students vs. 1,989 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lesley University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Massachusetts College of Art and Design is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lesley University 10:1; Massachusetts College of Art and Design 9:1.

Lesley University vs. Massachusetts College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lesley University or Massachusetts College of Art and Design? 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 Art and Design than Lesley University ($24,864 vs. $32,587).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Art and Design are 2.6% lower than at Lesley University ($19,412 vs. $19,920).
• Lesley University is 122.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Massachusetts College of Art and Design (about $18,856 more per year; $34,256.00 vs. $15,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.7% higher at Massachusetts College of Art and Design than at Lesley University (about $9,144 more per year; $43,400.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University than at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lesley University students is 83.9% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Art and Design students ($19,167 vs. $10,421).

Lesley University vs. Massachusetts College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lesley University or Massachusetts College of Art and Design? 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 Massachusetts College of Art and Design and Lesley University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lesley University - Test-free; Massachusetts College of Art and Design - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Massachusetts College of Art and Design Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Massachusetts College of Art and Design students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Lesley University (3.31).
• Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Massachusetts College of Art and Design (76.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Lesley University vs. 17.3% at Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

Lesley University vs. Massachusetts College of Art and Design Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lesley University and Massachusetts College of Art and Design? 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 Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Lesley University's (49%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts College of Art and Design earn a median of about $100 more per year than Lesley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,700 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lesley University graduates have a $930 lower median loan debt than Massachusetts College of Art and Design graduates ($24,320 vs. $25,250).
• Among borrowers, Lesley University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Massachusetts College of Art and Design graduates ($251 vs. $261).
• More Massachusetts College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.