UH at Hilo vs. MCLA

Comparable Facts

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

University of Hawaii at Hilo is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (2,668 students vs. 896 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Hawaii at Hilo is located in Hilo, HI (Remote Town setting); Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Hawaii at Hilo 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: University of Hawaii at Hilo 11:1; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1.

UH at Hilo vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH at Hilo 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 University of Hawaii at Hilo than MCLA ($12,673 vs. $16,544).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Hawaii at Hilo are 24.7% lower than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($11,586 vs. $15,386).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is 58.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH at Hilo (about $4,598 more per year; $12,436.00 vs. $7,838.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at MCLA than at University of Hawaii at Hilo (about $583 more per year; $21,381.00 vs. $20,798.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at University of Hawaii at Hilo (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students is 14.2% larger than aid received by University of Hawaii at Hilo students ($9,045 vs. $7,918).

UH at Hilo vs. MCLA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UH at Hilo 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 UH at Hilo.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (1070) is 10 points higher than at UH at Hilo (1060).
• Incoming MCLA students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at UH at Hilo).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hawaii at Hilo 945/1175; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hawaii at Hilo 15/22; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH at Hilo - Test optional; MCLA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH at Hilo Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UH at Hilo students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than UH at Hilo (60.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at UH at Hilo vs. 11.5% at MCLA.

UH at Hilo vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH at Hilo 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 University of Hawaii at Hilo's (36%).
• Graduates from University of Hawaii at Hilo earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,100 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Hawaii at Hilo graduates have a $4,756 lower median loan debt than MCLA graduates ($19,903 vs. $24,659).
• Among borrowers, UH at Hilo graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCLA graduates ($205 vs. $254).
• More MCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH at Hilo students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 61%)

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.