MCLA vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (3,333 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); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

MCLA vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or Purchase College? 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 Purchase College ($16,544 vs. $18,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 6.4% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($15,386 vs. $16,436).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is 38.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $3,483 more per year; $12,436.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.3% higher at MCLA than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $2,178 more per year; $21,381.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at SUNY at Purchase College (99% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students is 15.3% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($10,432 vs. $9,045).

MCLA vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 210 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Incoming Purchase College students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 19 at MCLA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCLA - Test-free; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Purchase College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than Purchase College (74%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at MCLA vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

MCLA vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCLA and Purchase College? 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).

• SUNY at Purchase College's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's (53%).
• Graduates from SUNY at Purchase College earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $2,159 lower median loan debt than MCLA graduates ($22,500 vs. $24,659).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCLA graduates ($232 vs. $254).
• More Purchase College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.