MCLA vs. UNH Manchester

Comparable Facts

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

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is larger than UNH Manchester based on total student enrollment (896 students vs. 663 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is located in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting); University of New Hampshire at Manchester is in Manchester, NH (Midsize City setting).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of New Hampshire at Manchester is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; University of New Hampshire at Manchester 8:1.

MCLA vs. UNH Manchester Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or UNH Manchester? 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 University of New Hampshire at Manchester than MCLA ($9,760 vs. $16,544).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Hampshire at Manchester are 4.5% lower than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($14,700 vs. $15,386).
• University of New Hampshire at Manchester is 27.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $3,402 more per year; $15,838.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.3% higher at UNH Manchester than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $15,037 more per year; $36,418.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at University of New Hampshire at Manchester (99% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Hampshire at Manchester students is 9.8% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($9,927 vs. $9,045).

MCLA vs. UNH Manchester Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of New Hampshire at Manchester (1100) is 30 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180; University of New Hampshire at Manchester 973/1236.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCLA - Test-free; UNH Manchester - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNH Manchester Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNH Manchester students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than UNH Manchester (80.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at MCLA vs. 17% at UNH Manchester.

MCLA vs. UNH Manchester Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCLA and UNH Manchester? 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).

• University of New Hampshire at Manchester's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's (53%).
• Graduates from University of New Hampshire at Manchester earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,300 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates have a $2,341 lower median loan debt than UNH Manchester graduates ($24,659 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNH Manchester graduates ($254 vs. $279).
• More UNH Manchester graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.