University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. MCLA

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Boston in Boston, 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 Boston is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 896 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Boston is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Massachusetts Boston 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 Boston 15:1; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Boston 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 University of Massachusetts-Boston ($16,544 vs. $17,768).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 19.6% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($15,386 vs. $19,128).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is 27.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $3,472 more per year; $15,908.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.3% higher at University of Massachusetts-Boston than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $16,744 more per year; $38,125.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at University of Massachusetts Boston (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students is 55.2% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($14,042 vs. $9,045).

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. MCLA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Massachusetts-Boston 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 University of Massachusetts-Boston.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Boston (1180) is 110 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Boston students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 19 at MCLA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional; MCLA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Boston students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than University of Massachusetts-Boston (83.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. 11.5% at MCLA.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Boston 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 Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of about $14,100 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $2,599 lower median loan debt than MCLA graduates ($22,060 vs. $24,659).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCLA graduates ($228 vs. $254).
• More MCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 58%)

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.