MCLA vs. Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA with Johnson & Wales University Providence in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Johnson & Wales University Providence is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (4,303 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); Johnson & Wales University Providence is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Johnson & Wales University Providence is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; Johnson & Wales University Providence 14:1.

MCLA vs. Johnson & Wales University-Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or Johnson & Wales University-Providence? 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 Johnson & Wales University-Providence ($16,544 vs. $32,057).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 22.3% lower than at Johnson & Wales University Providence ($15,386 vs. $19,800).
• Johnson & Wales University Providence is 241.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $29,983 more per year; $42,419.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98.4% higher at Johnson & Wales University-Providence than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $21,038 more per year; $42,419.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Johnson & Wales University Providence than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson & Wales University Providence students is 213.6% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($28,361 vs. $9,045).

MCLA vs. Johnson & Wales University-Providence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCLA or Johnson & Wales University-Providence? 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 Johnson & Wales University-Providence and MCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (1070) is 40 points higher than at Johnson & Wales University-Providence (1030).
• Incoming Johnson & Wales University-Providence students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 19 at MCLA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180; Johnson & Wales University Providence 890/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21; Johnson & Wales University Providence 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCLA - Test-free; Johnson & Wales University-Providence - Test optional.
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than Johnson & Wales University-Providence (88.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at MCLA vs. 15.8% at Johnson & Wales University-Providence.

MCLA vs. Johnson & Wales University-Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCLA and Johnson & Wales University-Providence? 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 Johnson & Wales University Providence's (51%).
• Graduates from Johnson & Wales University Providence earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,100 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates have a $2,241 lower median loan debt than Johnson & Wales University-Providence graduates ($24,659 vs. $26,900).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Johnson & Wales University-Providence graduates ($254 vs. $278).
• More Johnson & Wales University-Providence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.