MCLA vs. Montclair State University

Should I go to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts or Montclair State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MCLA or Montclair State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts vs. Montclair State University comparison
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Montclair State University College 3 College 4
Montclair State University
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Overview

MCLA Montclair State University
Location North Adams, MA Montclair, NJ
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 938 21,784
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #618
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcla.edu montclair.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MCLA Montclair State University
Tuition (In State) $1,030 $12,755
Tuition (Out of State) $9,975 $21,465
Room & Board $13,632 $16,170
Avg Net Price $15,377 $13,742
Avg Grant Aid $9,044 $11,771
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 66%

Admission

MCLA Montclair State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,456 21,393
Admitted 1,346 19,535
Acceptance Rate 92.4% 91.3%
Enrolled % 13.2% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/21
SAT Range 960/1180 950/1200
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

MCLA Montclair State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • English and Literature (20%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (17%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

MCLA Montclair State University
Graduation Rate 53% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $51,100
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,659 $22,999
Median Loan Payment $254 $237

Diversity

MCLA Montclair State University
% Men 42% 38%
% Women 58% 62%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 74% 44%
% Black 9% 11%
% Hispanic 8% 25%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 9%

Students

MCLA Montclair State University
% In-State 55% 95%
% Out-of-State 45% 4%

Campus

MCLA Montclair State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Montclair State University is larger than than MCLA based on total student enrollment (21,784 students vs. 938 students)

MCLA vs. Montclair State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or Montclair State University?

  • Montclair State University is 1,138.3% more expensive to attend than MCLA for in-state tuition ($12,755.00 vs. $1,030.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 115.2% higher at Montclair State University than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($21,465.00 vs. $9,975.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Montclair State University than MCLA ($13,742 vs. $15,377)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 18.6% lower than costs at Montclair State University ($13,632 vs. $16,170)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than Montclair State University (100% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Montclair State University students is 30.2% larger than aid received Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($11,771 vs. $9,044)

MCLA vs. Montclair State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCLA or Montclair State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Montclair State University or MCLA .

  • 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 (92.4%) than Montclair State University (91.3%)

MCLA vs. Montclair State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MCLA or Montclair State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Montclair State University and MCLA.

  • The graduation rate at Montclair State University is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (62% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Montclair State University earn on average $14,000 more per year than MCLA graduates after ten years. ($51,100 vs. $37,100)
  • Montclair State University students graduate with a $1,660 lower median federal student loan debt than MCLA graduates. ($22,999 vs. $24,659)
  • Montclair State University graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans 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/