MCLA vs. Centenary University

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

MCLA Centenary University
Location North Adams, MA Hackettstown, NJ
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 938 1,498
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #722
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcla.edu centenaryuniversity.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MCLA Centenary University
Tuition (In State) $1,030 $34,890
Tuition (Out of State) $9,975 $34,890
Room & Board $13,632 $12,770
Avg Net Price $15,377 $21,935
Avg Grant Aid $9,044 $27,592
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

MCLA Centenary University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,456 1,330
Admitted 1,346 1,284
Acceptance Rate 92.4% 96.5%
Enrolled % 13.2% 15.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 3.23
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/21 15/22
SAT Range 960/1180 990/1170
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 Centenary 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 (35%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

MCLA Centenary University
Graduation Rate 53% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $49,600
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,659 $25,500
Median Loan Payment $254 $263

Diversity

MCLA Centenary University
% Men 42% 33%
% Women 58% 67%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 74% 55%
% Black 9% 11%
% Hispanic 8% 11%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 4% 17%

Students

MCLA Centenary University
% In-State 55% 78%
% Out-of-State 45% 22%

Campus

MCLA Centenary 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

  • Centenary University is larger than than MCLA based on total student enrollment (1,498 students vs. 938 students)

MCLA vs. Centenary University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or Centenary University?

  • Centenary University is 3,287.4% more expensive to attend than MCLA for in-state tuition ($34,890.00 vs. $1,030.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 249.8% higher at Centenary University than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($34,890.00 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 Centenary University ($15,377 vs. $21,935)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Centenary University are 6.8% lower than costs at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($12,770 vs. $13,632)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than Centenary University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Centenary University students is 205.1% larger than aid received Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($27,592 vs. $9,044)

MCLA vs. Centenary University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (1016) is 87 points higher than at Centenary University (929)
  • Incoming MCLA students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Centenary University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Centenary University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at MCLA (3.2)
  • Centenary University has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than MCLA (92.4%)

MCLA vs. Centenary University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MCLA or Centenary 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 Centenary University and MCLA.

  • The graduation rate at MCLA is higher than Centenary University (53% vs. 49%)
  • Graduates from Centenary University earn on average $12,500 more per year than MCLA graduates after ten years. ($49,600 vs. $37,100)
  • Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students graduate with a $841 lower median federal student loan debt than Centenary University graduates. ($24,659 vs. $25,500)
  • MCLA graduates are paying $9 less per month on federal student loans than Centenary University graduates. ($254 vs. $263)
  • More Centenary University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 63%)

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