Nichols vs. MCLA

Comparable Facts

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

Nichols College is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (1,392 students vs. 896 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Nichols College 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: Nichols College 15:1; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1.

Nichols vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols 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 Nichols ($16,544 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 2.6% lower than at Nichols College ($15,386 vs. $15,800).
• Nichols College is 243.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $30,269 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.7% higher at Nichols than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $21,324 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College as at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 185.3% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($25,809 vs. $9,045).

Nichols vs. MCLA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Nichols 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 Nichols.

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nichols College (1130) is 60 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMassachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; MCLA - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman MCLA students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than Nichols (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 11.5% at MCLA.

Nichols vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols 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 College of Liberal Arts's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $14,700 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 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 Nichols graduates ($24,659 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($254 vs. $279).
• More Nichols graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.