TU vs. MCLA

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 896 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Towson University 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: Towson University 14:1; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1.

TU vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU 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 TU ($16,544 vs. $16,653).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 5.4% lower than at Towson University ($15,386 vs. $16,260).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $708 more per year; $12,436.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.5% higher at TU than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $8,439 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at Towson University (99% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 30.7% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($11,820 vs. $9,045).

TU vs. MCLA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU 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 TU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Towson University (1090) is 20 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Incoming TU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at MCLA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; MCLA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than TU (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 11.5% at MCLA.

TU vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU 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).

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's (53%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $6,909 lower median loan debt than MCLA graduates ($17,750 vs. $24,659).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCLA graduates ($183 vs. $254).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.