UMass vs. MCLA

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, MA 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 Massachusetts Amherst is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 896 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst 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 Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1.

UMass vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass 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 UMass ($16,544 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 7.9% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($15,386 vs. $16,710).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is 42.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $5,336 more per year; $17,772.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.2% higher at UMass than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $19,068 more per year; $40,449.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students is 44.9% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($13,110 vs. $9,045).

UMass vs. MCLA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass 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 UMass.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 340 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Incoming UMass students have a 12 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 19 at MCLA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; MCLA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.79 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 11.5% at MCLA.

UMass vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass 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 Massachusetts Amherst's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's (53%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $18,100 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $659 lower median loan debt than MCLA graduates ($24,000 vs. $24,659).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCLA graduates ($248 vs. $254).
• More UMass graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.