MCLA vs. Saint Peters; SPC

Comparable Facts

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

Saint Peter's University is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (3,572 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 Peter's University is in Jersey City, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Peter's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; Saint Peter's University 12:1.

MCLA vs. Saint Peters; SPC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or Saint Peters; SPC? 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 Saint Peter's University than MCLA ($13,775 vs. $16,544).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 13.5% lower than at Saint Peter's University ($15,386 vs. $17,794).
• Saint Peter's University is 242.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $30,116 more per year; $42,552.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99% higher at Saint Peters; SPC than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $21,171 more per year; $42,552.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Peter's University than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Peter's University students is 305.6% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($36,685 vs. $9,045).

MCLA vs. Saint Peters; SPC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCLA or Saint Peters; SPC? 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 Saint Peters; SPC and MCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (1070) is 10 points higher than at Saint Peters; SPC (1060).
• Incoming Saint Peters; SPC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at MCLA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180; Saint Peter's University 970/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21; Saint Peter's University 17/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCLA - Test-free; Saint Peters; SPC - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Saint Peters; SPC students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• Saint Peters; SPC 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. 11.4% at Saint Peters; SPC.

MCLA vs. Saint Peters; SPC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCLA and Saint Peters; SPC? 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 Saint Peter's University's (51%).
• Graduates from Saint Peter's University earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 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 Saint Peters; SPC graduates ($24,659 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Peters; SPC graduates ($254 vs. $258).
• More MCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Peters; SPC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 50%)

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.