MCLA vs. Gwynedd Mercy University

Comparable Facts

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

Gwynedd Mercy University is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (2,017 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); Gwynedd Mercy University is in Gwynedd Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Gwynedd Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; Gwynedd Mercy University 12:1.

MCLA vs. Gwynedd Mercy University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or Gwynedd Mercy 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 Gwynedd Mercy University ($16,544 vs. $27,960).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gwynedd Mercy University are 9.3% lower than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($13,956 vs. $15,386).
• Gwynedd Mercy University is 222.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $27,686 more per year; $40,122.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.7% higher at Gwynedd Mercy University than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $18,741 more per year; $40,122.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gwynedd Mercy University than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gwynedd Mercy University students is 204.6% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($27,554 vs. $9,045).

MCLA vs. Gwynedd Mercy University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCLA or Gwynedd Mercy 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 Gwynedd Mercy University and MCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gwynedd Mercy University (1100) is 30 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180; Gwynedd Mercy University 1023/1186.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCLA - Test-free; Gwynedd Mercy University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gwynedd Mercy University Aug 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gwynedd Mercy University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.34) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than Gwynedd Mercy University (89.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at MCLA vs. 17% at Gwynedd Mercy University.

MCLA vs. Gwynedd Mercy University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCLA and Gwynedd Mercy 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 Gwynedd Mercy University's (52%).
• Graduates from Gwynedd Mercy University earn a median of about $19,500 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,600 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates have a $341 lower median loan debt than Gwynedd Mercy University graduates ($24,659 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gwynedd Mercy University graduates ($254 vs. $258).
• More MCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gwynedd Mercy 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.