MCLA vs. MUW

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA with Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mississippi University for Women is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (2,193 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); Mississippi University for Women is in Columbus, MS (Remote Town setting).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi University for Women is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; Mississippi University for Women 10:1.

MCLA vs. MUW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or MUW? 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 Mississippi University for Women than MCLA ($12,487 vs. $16,544).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi University for Women are 44.3% lower than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($8,572 vs. $15,386).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is 46.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MUW (about $3,944 more per year; $12,436.00 vs. $8,492.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 151.8% higher at MCLA than at Mississippi University for Women (about $12,889 more per year; $21,381.00 vs. $8,492.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts as at Mississippi University for Women (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi University for Women students is 6.5% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($9,635 vs. $9,045).

MCLA vs. MUW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (1070) is 50 points higher than at MUW (1020).
• Incoming MUW 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; Mississippi University for Women 850/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21; Mississippi University for Women 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCLA - Test-free; MUW - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman MUW students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MUW has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than MCLA (89.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at MCLA vs. 34.6% at MUW.

MCLA vs. MUW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCLA and MUW? 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 Mississippi University for Women's (39%).
• Graduates from Mississippi University for Women earn a median of about $700 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,800 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi University for Women graduates have a $9,659 lower median loan debt than MCLA graduates ($15,000 vs. $24,659).
• Among borrowers, MUW graduates have an estimated $99 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCLA graduates ($155 vs. $254).
• More MCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MUW students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 57%)

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.