MCLA vs. Alfred State College

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY College of Technology at Alfred is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (3,781 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 College of Technology at Alfred is in Alfred, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; SUNY College of Technology at Alfred 16:1.

MCLA vs. Alfred State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or Alfred State 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 SUNY College of Technology at Alfred than MCLA ($15,283 vs. $16,544).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred are 5% lower than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($14,624 vs. $15,386).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is 39.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alfred State College (about $3,544 more per year; $12,436.00 vs. $8,892.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27% higher at MCLA than at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred (about $4,544 more per year; $21,381.00 vs. $16,837.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY College of Technology at Alfred students is 10.2% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($9,966 vs. $9,045).

MCLA vs. Alfred State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCLA or Alfred State 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 Alfred State College and MCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred (1100) is 30 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Incoming Alfred State College 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; SUNY College of Technology at Alfred 990/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21; SUNY College of Technology at Alfred 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCLA - Test-free; Alfred State College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman MCLA students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at Alfred State College (3.1).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than Alfred State College (75.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at MCLA vs. 16% at Alfred State College.

MCLA vs. Alfred State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCLA and Alfred State 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 College of Technology at Alfred's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's (53%).
• Graduates from SUNY College of Technology at Alfred earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Technology at Alfred graduates have a $9,785 lower median loan debt than MCLA graduates ($14,874 vs. $24,659).
• Among borrowers, Alfred State College graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCLA graduates ($153 vs. $254).
• More Alfred State College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.