MCLA vs. Centenary University

Comparable Facts

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

Centenary University is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (1,398 students vs. 896 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is located in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting); Centenary University is in Hackettstown, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Centenary University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; Centenary University 12:1.

MCLA vs. Centenary University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or Centenary University? 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 Centenary University ($16,544 vs. $22,640).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Centenary University are 18.4% lower than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($12,552 vs. $15,386).
• Centenary University is 203.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $25,296 more per year; $37,732.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.5% higher at Centenary University than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $16,351 more per year; $37,732.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts as at Centenary University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Centenary University students is 227.4% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($29,617 vs. $9,045).

MCLA vs. Centenary University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCLA or Centenary University? 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 Centenary University and MCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Centenary University (1080) is 10 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Incoming MCLA students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at Centenary University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180; Centenary University 990/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21; Centenary University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCLA - Test-free; Centenary University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Centenary University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than Centenary University (83.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at MCLA vs. 14.7% at Centenary University.

MCLA vs. Centenary University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCLA and Centenary University? 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 Centenary University's (49%).
• Graduates from Centenary University earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates have a $841 lower median loan debt than Centenary University graduates ($24,659 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Centenary University graduates ($254 vs. $263).
• More Centenary University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.