MCLA vs. Kean

Comparable Facts

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

Kean University is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (13,905 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); Kean University is in Union, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kean University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; Kean University 17:1.

MCLA vs. Kean Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or Kean? 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 Kean University than MCLA ($12,708 vs. $16,544).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 15.8% lower than at Kean University ($15,386 vs. $18,264).
• Kean University is 15% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $1,863 more per year; $14,299.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at Kean than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $1,065 more per year; $22,446.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at Kean University (99% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kean University students is 66.4% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($15,048 vs. $9,045).

MCLA vs. Kean Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (1070) is 30 points higher than at Kean (1040).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180; Kean University 930/1150.
• 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; Kean - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kean Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MCLA students have the same average high school GPA (3.2) as students at Kean (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than Kean (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at MCLA vs. 18.7% at Kean.

MCLA vs. Kean Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCLA and Kean? 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 Kean University's (49%).
• Graduates from Kean University earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 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 Kean graduates ($24,659 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kean graduates ($254 vs. $258).
• More MCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kean 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.