MIT vs. MCLA

Comparable Facts

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

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (11,886 students vs. 896 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1.

MIT vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT or MCLA? 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 MIT ($16,544 vs. $20,996).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 24.1% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($15,386 vs. $20,280).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is 401.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $49,960 more per year; $62,396.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 191.8% higher at MIT than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $41,015 more per year; $62,396.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (99% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is 582.5% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($61,734 vs. $9,045).

MIT vs. MCLA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 480 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Incoming MIT students have a 16 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 19 at MCLA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required; MCLA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.76 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 11.5% at MCLA.

MIT vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT and MCLA? 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 Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's (53%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $105,000 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $7,343 lower median loan debt than MCLA graduates ($17,316 vs. $24,659).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCLA graduates ($179 vs. $254).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.