Clark University vs. MCLA

Should I go to Clark University or Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clark University or MCLA is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Clark University vs. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts comparison
Clark University Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts College 3 College 4
Clark University
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Overview

Clark University MCLA
Location Worcester, MA North Adams, MA
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 3,770 938
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #154
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clarku.edu mcla.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clark University MCLA
Tuition (In State) $52,000 $1,030
Tuition (Out of State) $52,000 $9,975
Room & Board $11,164 $13,632
Avg Net Price $32,053 $15,377
Avg Grant Aid $29,716 $9,044
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 100%

Admission

Clark University MCLA
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,787 1,456
Admitted 4,422 1,346
Acceptance Rate 50.3% 92.4%
Enrolled % 15.9% 13.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.2
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very High Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 28/33 17/21
SAT Range 1250/1430 960/1180
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2024

Academics

Clark University MCLA
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (27%)
  • Psychology (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • English and Literature (20%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

Clark University MCLA
Graduation Rate 80% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,100 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,659
Median Loan Payment $279 $254

Diversity

Clark University MCLA
% Men 45% 42%
% Women 55% 58%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 57% 74%
% Black 4% 9%
% Hispanic 7% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 15% 0%
% Unknown Race 8% 4%

Students

Clark University MCLA
% In-State 37% 55%
% Out-of-State 57% 45%

Campus

Clark University MCLA
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Clark University is larger than than MCLA based on total student enrollment (3,770 students vs. 938 students)

Clark University vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clark University or MCLA?

  • Clark University is 4,948.5% more expensive to attend than MCLA for in-state tuition ($52,000.00 vs. $1,030.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 421.3% higher at Clark University than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($52,000.00 vs. $9,975.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than Clark University ($15,377 vs. $32,053)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark University are 22.1% lower than costs at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($11,164 vs. $13,632)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than Clark University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clark University students is 228.6% larger than aid received Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($29,716 vs. $9,044)

Clark University vs. MCLA Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clark University or MCLA? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between MCLA or Clark University .

  • Accepted freshman Clark University students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at MCLA (3.2)
  • MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than Clark University (50.3%)

Clark University vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Clark University or MCLA? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between MCLA and Clark University.

  • The graduation rate at Clark University is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (80% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Clark University earn on average $13,000 more per year than MCLA graduates after ten years. ($50,100 vs. $37,100)
  • Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students graduate with a $2,341 lower median federal student loan debt than Clark University graduates. ($24,659 vs. $27,000)
  • MCLA graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than Clark University graduates. ($254 vs. $279)
  • More Clark University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/