MCLA vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

Comparable Facts

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

Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (1,785 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); Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is in Norton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 11:1.

MCLA vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) ($16,544 vs. $30,701).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 5% lower than at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) ($15,386 vs. $16,200).
• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is 414.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $51,524 more per year; $63,960.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 199.1% higher at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $42,579 more per year; $63,960.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts as at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students is 438% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($48,666 vs. $9,045).

MCLA vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCLA or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) and MCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (1310) is 240 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Incoming Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students have a 12 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 19 at MCLA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 1220/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCLA - Test-free; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (67.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at MCLA vs. 12.9% at Wheaton College (Massachusetts).

MCLA vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCLA and Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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).

• Wheaton College (Massachusetts)'s six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's (53%).
• Graduates from Wheaton College (Massachusetts) earn a median of about $16,600 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates have a $1,341 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates ($24,659 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates ($254 vs. $268).
• More Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.