MC vs. Arcadia

Comparable Facts

Compare Mississippi College in Clinton, MS with Arcadia University in Glenside, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mississippi College is larger than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (4,164 students vs. 3,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mississippi College is located in Clinton, MS (Large Suburban setting); Arcadia University is in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Mississippi College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mississippi College 14:1; Arcadia University 10:1.

MC vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MC or Arcadia? 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 Mississippi College than Arcadia ($28,559 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi College are 6.2% lower than at Arcadia University ($16,120 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 111.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MC (about $26,110 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $23,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.1% higher at Arcadia than at Mississippi College (about $26,110 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $23,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi College than at Arcadia University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 173.8% larger than aid received by Mississippi College students ($34,705 vs. $12,676).

MC vs. Arcadia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MC or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia and MC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi College (1200) is 30 points higher than at Arcadia (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi College 1140/1260; Arcadia University 1065/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MC - Required; Arcadia - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman MC students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Arcadia (3.42).
• Arcadia has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than MC (29.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 91% at MC vs. 7.4% at Arcadia.

MC vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MC and Arcadia? 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).

• Arcadia University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Mississippi College's (51%).
• Graduates from Arcadia University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than MC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MC graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MC students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 59%)

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.