MCLA vs. Stockton

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA with Stockton University in Galloway, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stockton University is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (8,631 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); Stockton University is in Galloway, NJ (Rural Fringe setting).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stockton University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; Stockton University 17:1.

MCLA vs. Stockton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or Stockton? 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 Stockton ($16,544 vs. $20,761).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 2.8% lower than at Stockton University ($15,386 vs. $15,834).
• Stockton University is 30.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $3,830 more per year; $16,266.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.7% higher at Stockton than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $3,143 more per year; $24,524.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at Stockton University (99% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stockton University students is 55.9% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($14,105 vs. $9,045).

MCLA vs. Stockton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stockton University (1130) is 60 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Incoming Stockton students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at MCLA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180; Stockton University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21; Stockton University 21/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCLA - Test-free; Stockton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Stockton Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Stockton students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than Stockton (88.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at MCLA vs. 15.5% at Stockton.

MCLA vs. Stockton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCLA and Stockton? 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).

• Stockton University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's (53%).
• Graduates from Stockton University earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stockton University graduates have a $3,551 lower median loan debt than MCLA graduates ($21,108 vs. $24,659).
• Among borrowers, Stockton graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCLA graduates ($218 vs. $254).
• More Stockton 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.