MCLA vs. FDU

Should I go to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts or Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MCLA or FDU 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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Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts vs. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus comparison
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus College 3 College 4
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Overview

MCLA FDU
Location North Adams, MA Teaneck, NJ
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 938 7,285
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #797
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcla.edu fdu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MCLA FDU
Tuition (In State) $1,030 $33,264
Tuition (Out of State) $9,975 $33,264
Room & Board $13,632 $15,588
Avg Net Price $15,377 $16,030
Avg Grant Aid $9,044 $30,059
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

MCLA FDU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,456 4,294
Admitted 1,346 3,611
Acceptance Rate 92.4% 84.1%
Enrolled % 13.2% 14.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 3.31
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/21 20/23
SAT Range 960/1180 908/1180
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

MCLA FDU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • English and Literature (20%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (53%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

MCLA FDU
Graduation Rate 53% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $52,900
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,659 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $254 $268

Diversity

MCLA FDU
% Men 42% 41%
% Women 58% 59%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 74% 25%
% Black 9% 12%
% Hispanic 8% 36%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 0% 8%
% Unknown Race 4% 12%

Students

MCLA FDU
% In-State 55% 68%
% Out-of-State 45% 15%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is larger than than MCLA based on total student enrollment (7,285 students vs. 938 students)

MCLA vs. FDU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or FDU?

  • Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is 3,129.5% more expensive to attend than MCLA for in-state tuition ($33,264.00 vs. $1,030.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 233.5% higher at FDU than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($33,264.00 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 FDU ($15,377 vs. $16,030)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 14.3% lower than costs at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ($13,632 vs. $15,588)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus students is 232.4% larger than aid received Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($30,059 vs. $9,044)

MCLA vs. FDU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (1016) is 21 points higher than at FDU (995)
  • Incoming MCLA students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at FDU (21)
  • Accepted freshman FDU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at MCLA (3.2)
  • MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than FDU (84.1%)

MCLA vs. FDU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MCLA or FDU? 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 FDU and MCLA.

  • The graduation rate at MCLA is higher than Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus (53% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn on average $15,800 more per year than MCLA graduates after ten years. ($52,900 vs. $37,100)
  • Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students graduate with a $1,341 lower median federal student loan debt than FDU graduates. ($24,659 vs. $26,000)
  • MCLA graduates are paying $14 less per month on federal student loans than FDU graduates. ($254 vs. $268)
  • More MCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FDU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/