Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

  • 6/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • North Adams, MA
  • 0 reviews

Overview

Total enrollment

896
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts overview
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts overview
  • Size Small
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) operates as a public liberal arts college in North Adams, located in the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts. Established in 1894 as North Adams Normal School, MCLA's compact urban campus spans 105 acres in a former industrial city that has evolved into an arts and culture destination. The college maintains a focus on liberal arts education while offering programs in business, education, and STEM fields, with particular recognition for its arts management and education programs. MCLA provides traditional dormitory housing for students across five residence halls, with first-year students required to live on campus. The institution competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the MCLA Trailblazers, participating in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Ratings

MCLA is rated within the top 50% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    6 out of 10
  • Academics
    4 out of 10
  • Resources
    10 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    4 out of 10
  • Value
    3 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts admission standards
  • GPA 3.2

Acceptance Rate

89.7%
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts applications overview
  • Applications Due -
  • Enrollment Rate 11.5%
  • Application Fee $0

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Massachusetts Resident Tuition

$12,436

Out of State Resident Tuition

$21,381

Breakdown

In State Costs for Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
  • Tuition $12,436
  • Books and Supplies $1,000
  • Other Fees $11,406
  • Room and Board $15,386
  • Budget for Other Expenses $2,290
  • Total One Year Cost $42,518

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$37,100 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

53% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are English and Literature, Business, and Social Sciences. 20% of students major in English and Literature, 20% in Business, and 15% in Social Sciences.

  • English and Literature 20%
  • Business 20%
  • Social Sciences 15%
  • General Studies 10%
  • Visual and Performing Arts 9%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=167288.

GPA calculator: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026