Massachusetts Maritime Academy vs. MCLA

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, 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 Maritime Academy is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (1,488 students vs. 896 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Maritime Academy is located in Buzzards Bay, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Maritime Academy 13:1; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Massachusetts Maritime Academy 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 Maritime Academy than MCLA ($13,546 vs. $16,544).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts Maritime Academy are 2.6% lower than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($14,990 vs. $15,386).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is 8.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Massachusetts Maritime Academy (about $1,016 more per year; $12,436.00 vs. $11,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.9% higher at Massachusetts Maritime Academy than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $2,341 more per year; $23,722.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at Massachusetts Maritime Academy (99% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Maritime Academy students is 82.4% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($16,502 vs. $9,045).

Massachusetts Maritime Academy vs. MCLA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Massachusetts Maritime Academy or MCLA? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MCLA and Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Massachusetts Maritime Academy (1110) is 40 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Incoming Massachusetts Maritime Academy students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 19 at MCLA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Massachusetts Maritime Academy 1030/1185; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Massachusetts Maritime Academy 20/28; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Massachusetts Maritime Academy - Test-free; MCLA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Apr 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Massachusetts Maritime Academy students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• Massachusetts Maritime Academy has a higher acceptance rate (94.7%) than MCLA (89.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.1% at Massachusetts Maritime Academy vs. 11.5% at MCLA.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Massachusetts Maritime Academy and MCLA? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Massachusetts Maritime Academy's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's (53%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Maritime Academy earn a median of about $50,800 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,900 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 Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduates ($24,659 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduates ($254 vs. $279).
• More Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.