Lesley University vs. MCLA

Comparable Facts

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

Lesley University is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (2,557 students vs. 896 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lesley University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Lesley University 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: Lesley University 10:1; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1.

Lesley University vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lesley University 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 Lesley University ($16,544 vs. $32,587).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 22.8% lower than at Lesley University ($15,386 vs. $19,920).
• Lesley University is 175.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $21,820 more per year; $34,256.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.2% higher at Lesley University than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $12,875 more per year; $34,256.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lesley University students is 111.9% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($19,167 vs. $9,045).

Lesley University vs. MCLA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lesley University 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 Lesley University.

• 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: Lesley University - Test-free; MCLA - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Lesley University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than MCLA (89.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Lesley University vs. 11.5% at MCLA.

Lesley University vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lesley University 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).

• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Lesley University's (49%).
• Graduates from Lesley University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,600 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lesley University graduates have a $339 lower median loan debt than MCLA graduates ($24,320 vs. $24,659).
• Among borrowers, Lesley University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCLA graduates ($251 vs. $254).
• More MCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.