MCLA vs. LGCNHS

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA with Saint Joseph's University Lancaster in Lancaster, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Joseph's University Lancaster is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (1,439 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); Saint Joseph's University Lancaster is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Joseph's University Lancaster is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; Saint Joseph's University Lancaster 11:1.

MCLA vs. LGCNHS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or LGCNHS? 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 LGCNHS ($16,544 vs. $38,730).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 5.3% lower than at Saint Joseph's University Lancaster ($15,386 vs. $16,240).
• Saint Joseph's University Lancaster is 164.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $20,497 more per year; $32,933.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54% higher at LGCNHS than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $11,552 more per year; $32,933.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at Saint Joseph's University Lancaster (99% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students is 14.2% larger than aid received by Saint Joseph's University Lancaster students ($9,045 vs. $7,920).

MCLA vs. LGCNHS Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Joseph's University Lancaster (1140) is 70 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180; Saint Joseph's University Lancaster 1050/1220.
• 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; LGCNHS - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LGCNHS Feb 1, 2027.
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than LGCNHS (41.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at MCLA vs. 40.8% at LGCNHS.

MCLA vs. LGCNHS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCLA and LGCNHS? 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).

• Graduates from Saint Joseph's University Lancaster earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,300 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Joseph's University Lancaster graduates have a $6,159 lower median loan debt than MCLA graduates ($18,500 vs. $24,659).
• Among borrowers, LGCNHS graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCLA graduates ($191 vs. $254).
• More LGCNHS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.