MCLA vs. Hilbert College

Comparable Facts

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

Hilbert College is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (968 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); Hilbert College is in Hamburg, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hilbert College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; Hilbert College 15:1.

MCLA vs. Hilbert College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or Hilbert College? 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 Hilbert College ($16,544 vs. $22,157).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hilbert College are 3% lower than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($14,920 vs. $15,386).
• Hilbert College is 171.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $21,304 more per year; $33,740.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.8% higher at Hilbert College than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $12,359 more per year; $33,740.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hilbert College than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hilbert College students is 121.5% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($20,038 vs. $9,045).

MCLA vs. Hilbert College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hilbert College (1080) is 10 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; Hilbert College 980/1180.
• 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; Hilbert College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman MCLA students have the same average high school GPA (3.2) as students at Hilbert College (3.2).
• Hilbert College has a higher acceptance rate (97.2%) than MCLA (89.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at MCLA vs. 18.4% at Hilbert College.

MCLA vs. Hilbert College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCLA and Hilbert College? 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 Hilbert College's (40%).
• Graduates from Hilbert College earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,800 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates have a $805 lower median loan debt than Hilbert College graduates ($24,659 vs. $25,464).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hilbert College graduates ($254 vs. $263).
• More MCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hilbert College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 52%)

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.