UMF vs. MCLA

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maine at Farmington in Farmington, ME 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 Maine at Farmington is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (2,100 students vs. 896 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maine at Farmington is located in Farmington, ME (Remote Town setting); Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Maine at Farmington 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 Maine at Farmington 13:1; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1.

UMF vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMF 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 UMF ($16,544 vs. $17,451).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maine at Farmington are 26.5% lower than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($11,310 vs. $15,386).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is 10% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMF (about $1,128 more per year; $12,436.00 vs. $11,308.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.7% higher at UMF than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $2,497 more per year; $23,878.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at University of Maine at Farmington (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students is 10.4% larger than aid received by University of Maine at Farmington students ($9,045 vs. $8,194).

UMF vs. MCLA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMF 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 UMF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maine at Farmington (1120) is 50 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maine at Farmington 995/1245; 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: UMF - Test optional; MCLA - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman MCLA students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at UMF (3.15).
• UMF has a higher acceptance rate (96.7%) than MCLA (89.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at UMF vs. 11.5% at MCLA.

UMF vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMF 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).

• University of Maine at Farmington's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's (53%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than UMF graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $35,200), 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 UMF graduates ($24,659 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMF graduates ($254 vs. $279).
• More UMF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.