MCLA vs. Wilson College

Comparable Facts

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

Wilson College is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (1,907 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); Wilson College is in Chambersburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; Wilson College 15:1.

MCLA vs. Wilson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or Wilson 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 Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than Wilson College ($16,544 vs. $21,748).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilson College are 20.1% lower than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($12,296 vs. $15,386).
• Wilson College is 117.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $14,664 more per year; $27,100.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.7% higher at Wilson College than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $5,719 more per year; $27,100.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at Wilson College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilson College students is 96.1% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($17,736 vs. $9,045).

MCLA vs. Wilson College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (1070) is 10 points higher than at Wilson College (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180; Wilson College 930/1180.
• 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; Wilson College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilson College students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• Wilson College has a higher acceptance rate (92.1%) than MCLA (89.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at MCLA vs. 21.5% at Wilson College.

MCLA vs. Wilson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCLA and Wilson 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).

• The graduation rate at MCLA is the same as at Wilson College (53% vs. 53%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Wilson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates have a $1,091 lower median loan debt than Wilson College graduates ($24,659 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilson College graduates ($254 vs. $266).
• More Wilson 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.