WestConn vs. MCLA

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT with Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Connecticut State University is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (4,169 students vs. 896 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Western Connecticut State 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: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1.

WestConn vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn 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 WestConn ($16,544 vs. $17,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 1.7% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($15,386 vs. $15,659).
• Western Connecticut State University is 7.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $965 more per year; $13,401.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.5% higher at MCLA than at Western Connecticut State University (about $4,480 more per year; $21,381.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at Western Connecticut State University (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 42.3% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($12,870 vs. $9,045).

WestConn vs. MCLA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WestConn 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 WestConn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 40 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; 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: WestConn - Test optional; MCLA - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than WestConn (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 11.5% at MCLA.

WestConn vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn 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 Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates have a $341 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($24,659 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($254 vs. $258).
• More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.