MCLA vs. Montclair State University

Comparable Facts

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

Montclair State University is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (23,375 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); Montclair State University is in Montclair, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montclair State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; Montclair State University 18:1.

MCLA vs. Montclair State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or Montclair State 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 Montclair State University ($16,544 vs. $17,669).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 8% lower than at Montclair State University ($15,386 vs. $16,730).
• Montclair State University is 28% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $3,476 more per year; $15,912.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.7% higher at Montclair State University than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $4,641 more per year; $26,022.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at Montclair State University (99% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montclair State University students is 36.4% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($12,341 vs. $9,045).

MCLA vs. Montclair State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCLA or Montclair State 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 Montclair State University and MCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (1070) is 10 points higher than at Montclair State University (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180; Montclair State University 910/1210.
• 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; Montclair State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Montclair State University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than Montclair State University (87.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at MCLA vs. 18.2% at Montclair State University.

MCLA vs. Montclair State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCLA and Montclair State 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).

• Montclair State University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's (53%).
• Graduates from Montclair State University earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montclair State University graduates have a $1,660 lower median loan debt than MCLA graduates ($22,999 vs. $24,659).
• Among borrowers, Montclair State University graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCLA graduates ($237 vs. $254).
• More Montclair State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.