MCLA vs. Lake Superior State University

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

 MCLA Lake Superior State University
Location North Adams, MA Sault Ste Marie, MI
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 938 1,655
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #745
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcla.edu lssu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 MCLA Lake Superior State University
Tuition (In State) $1,030 $13,440
Tuition (Out of State) $9,975 $13,440
Room & Board $13,632 $11,016
Avg Net Price $15,377 $14,336
Avg Grant Aid $9,044 $10,816
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 91%

Admission

 MCLA Lake Superior State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,456 2,408
Admitted 1,346 1,852
Acceptance Rate 92.4% 76.9%
Enrolled % 13.2% 15.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 3.2
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/21 19/26
SAT Range 960/1180 1000/1225
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline

Academics

 MCLA Lake Superior State 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%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (21%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

 MCLA Lake Superior State University
Graduation Rate 53% 35%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $40,300
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,659 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $254 $240

Diversity

 MCLA Lake Superior State University
% Men 42% 45%
% Women 58% 55%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 80%
% Black 9% 1%
% Hispanic 8% 2%
% Native American 1% 8%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 0% 7%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

 MCLA Lake Superior State University
% In-State 55% 83%
% Out-of-State 45% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Lake Superior State University is larger than than MCLA based on total student enrollment (1,655 students vs. 938 students)

MCLA vs. Lake Superior State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or Lake Superior State University?

  • Lake Superior State University is 1,204.9% more expensive to attend than MCLA for in-state tuition ($13,440.00 vs. $1,030.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 34.7% higher at Lake Superior State University than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($13,440.00 vs. $9,975.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lake Superior State University than MCLA ($14,336 vs. $15,377)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Superior State University are 23.7% lower than costs at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($11,016 vs. $13,632)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than Lake Superior State University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Superior State University students is 19.6% larger than aid received Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($10,816 vs. $9,044)

MCLA vs. Lake Superior State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Lake Superior State University (1027) is 11 points higher than at MCLA (1016)
  • Incoming MCLA students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Lake Superior State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman MCLA students have at the same average high school GPA (3.2) as students at Lake Superior State University (3.2)
  • MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than Lake Superior State University (76.9%)

MCLA vs. Lake Superior State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MCLA or Lake Superior State 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 Lake Superior State University and MCLA.

  • The graduation rate at MCLA is higher than Lake Superior State University (53% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from Lake Superior State University earn on average $3,200 more per year than MCLA graduates after ten years. ($40,300 vs. $37,100)
  • Lake Superior State University students graduate with a $1,409 lower median federal student loan debt than MCLA graduates. ($23,250 vs. $24,659)
  • Lake Superior State University graduates are paying $14 less per month on federal student loans than MCLA graduates. ($240 vs. $254)
  • More MCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Superior State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 57%)

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