MCLA vs. Salem State University

Should I go to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts or Salem State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MCLA or Salem 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. Salem State University comparison
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Salem State University College 3 College 4
Salem State University
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Overview

MCLA Salem State University
Location North Adams, MA Salem, MA
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 938 6,539
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #733
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcla.edu salemstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MCLA Salem State University
Tuition (In State) $1,030 $910
Tuition (Out of State) $9,975 $7,050
Room & Board $13,632 $14,954
Avg Net Price $15,377 $19,277
Avg Grant Aid $9,044 $8,562
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

MCLA Salem State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,456 5,093
Admitted 1,346 4,719
Acceptance Rate 92.4% 92.7%
Enrolled % 13.2% 18.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 3.17
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/21
SAT Range 960/1180 986/1210
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2025

Academics

MCLA Salem State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • English and Literature (20%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

MCLA Salem State University
Graduation Rate 53% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $44,400
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,659 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $254 $248

Diversity

MCLA Salem State University
% Men 42% 31%
% Women 58% 69%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 74% 68%
% Black 9% 9%
% Hispanic 8% 12%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

MCLA Salem State University
% In-State 55% 90%
% Out-of-State 45% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Salem State University is larger than than MCLA based on total student enrollment (6,539 students vs. 938 students)

MCLA vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is 13.2% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($1,030.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 41.5% higher at MCLA than Salem State University ($9,975.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than Salem State University ($15,377 vs. $19,277)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 9.7% lower than costs at Salem State University ($13,632 vs. $14,954)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than Salem State University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students is 5.6% larger than aid received Salem State University ($9,044 vs. $8,562)

MCLA vs. Salem State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman MCLA students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than MCLA (92.4%)

MCLA vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MCLA or Salem 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 Salem State University and MCLA.

  • The graduation rate at MCLA is higher than Salem State University (53% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Salem State University earn on average $7,300 more per year than MCLA graduates after ten years. ($44,400 vs. $37,100)
  • Salem State University students graduate with a $659 lower median federal student loan debt than MCLA graduates. ($24,000 vs. $24,659)
  • Salem State University graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than MCLA graduates. ($248 vs. $254)
  • More MCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/