MCLA vs. FDU

Comparable Facts

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

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (8,045 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); Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is in Teaneck, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus 14:1.

MCLA vs. FDU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or FDU? 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 FDU ($16,544 vs. $16,920).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 5.4% lower than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ($15,386 vs. $16,270).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is 205.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $25,568 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.7% higher at FDU than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $16,623 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts as at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus students is 273.8% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($33,807 vs. $9,045).

MCLA vs. FDU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (1070) is 30 points higher than at FDU (1040).
• Incoming FDU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at MCLA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180; Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus 908/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21; Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus 20/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCLA - Test-free; FDU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman FDU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• FDU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than MCLA (89.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at MCLA vs. 11.8% at FDU.

MCLA vs. FDU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCLA and FDU? 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 Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus's (41%).
• Graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of about $15,800 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,900 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates have a $1,341 lower median loan debt than FDU graduates ($24,659 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.