MCLA vs. Caldwell University

Should I go to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts or Caldwell University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MCLA or Caldwell University 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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Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts vs. Caldwell University comparison
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Caldwell University College 3 College 4
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Overview

 MCLA Caldwell University
Location North Adams, MA Caldwell, NJ
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 938 2,028
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #505
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcla.edu caldwell.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 MCLA Caldwell University
Tuition (In State) $1,030 $35,950
Tuition (Out of State) $9,975 $35,950
Room & Board $13,632 $13,399
Avg Net Price $15,377 $20,612
Avg Grant Aid $9,044 $30,231
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

 MCLA Caldwell University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,456 6,649
Admitted 1,346 4,413
Acceptance Rate 92.4% 66.4%
Enrolled % 13.2% 10.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/21 20/26
SAT Range 960/1180 1010/1320
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 MCLA Caldwell University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • English and Literature (20%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Psychology (19%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)

Outcomes

 MCLA Caldwell University
Graduation Rate 53% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $46,800
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,659 $25,750
Median Loan Payment $254 $266

Diversity

 MCLA Caldwell University
% Men 42% 34%
% Women 58% 66%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 74% 39%
% Black 9% 15%
% Hispanic 8% 18%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 0% 6%
% Unknown Race 4% 18%

Students

 MCLA Caldwell University
% In-State 55% 71%
% Out-of-State 45% 7%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Caldwell University is larger than than MCLA based on total student enrollment (2,028 students vs. 938 students)

MCLA vs. Caldwell University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or Caldwell University?

  • Caldwell University is 3,390.3% more expensive to attend than MCLA for in-state tuition ($35,950.00 vs. $1,030.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 260.4% higher at Caldwell University than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($35,950.00 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 Caldwell University ($15,377 vs. $20,612)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Caldwell University are 1.7% lower than costs at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($13,399 vs. $13,632)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than Caldwell University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Caldwell University students is 234.3% larger than aid received Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($30,231 vs. $9,044)

MCLA vs. Caldwell University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (1016) is 47 points higher than at Caldwell University (969)
  • Incoming MCLA students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Caldwell University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Caldwell University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at MCLA (3.2)
  • MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than Caldwell University (66.4%)

MCLA vs. Caldwell University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MCLA or Caldwell University? 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 Caldwell University and MCLA.

  • The graduation rate at Caldwell University is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (58% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Caldwell University earn on average $9,700 more per year than MCLA graduates after ten years. ($46,800 vs. $37,100)
  • Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students graduate with a $1,091 lower median federal student loan debt than Caldwell University graduates. ($24,659 vs. $25,750)
  • MCLA graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than Caldwell University graduates. ($254 vs. $266)
  • More MCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Caldwell University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 50%)

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