MCLA vs. UMass Dartmouth

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (7,968 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); University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is in North Dartmouth, MA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 16:1.

MCLA vs. UMass Dartmouth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or UMass Dartmouth? 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 UMass Dartmouth ($16,544 vs. $21,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 17.1% lower than at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth ($15,386 vs. $18,566).
• University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is 25.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $3,176 more per year; $15,612.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.3% higher at UMass Dartmouth than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $11,186 more per year; $32,567.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Dartmouth students is 28.9% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($11,658 vs. $9,045).

MCLA vs. UMass Dartmouth Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (1160) is 90 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Incoming UMass Dartmouth 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; University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21; University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCLA - Test-free; UMass Dartmouth - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UMass Dartmouth students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• UMass Dartmouth has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than MCLA (89.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at MCLA vs. 13.5% at UMass Dartmouth.

MCLA vs. UMass Dartmouth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCLA and UMass Dartmouth? 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 University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's (48%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates have a $1,101 lower median loan debt than UMass Dartmouth graduates ($24,659 vs. $25,760).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass Dartmouth graduates ($254 vs. $266).
• More UMass Dartmouth graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.