MCLA vs. Penn State York

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA with Penn State York in York, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is larger than Penn State York based on total student enrollment (896 students vs. 677 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is located in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting); Penn State York is in York, PA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State York is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; Penn State York 14:1.

MCLA vs. Penn State York Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or Penn State York? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than Penn State York ($16,544 vs. $18,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State York are 0.7% lower than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($15,274 vs. $15,386).
• Penn State York is 22.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $2,772 more per year; $15,208.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.8% higher at Penn State York than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $4,011 more per year; $25,392.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at Penn State York (99% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students is 3.3% larger than aid received by Penn State York students ($9,045 vs. $8,756).

MCLA vs. Penn State York Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCLA or Penn State York? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State York and MCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State York (1150) is 80 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Incoming Penn State York students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 19 at MCLA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180; Penn State York 1050/1245.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21; Penn State York 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCLA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Penn State York - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Penn State York has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than MCLA (89.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at MCLA vs. 10.7% at Penn State York.

MCLA vs. Penn State York Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCLA and Penn State York? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Penn State York's (45%).
• Graduates from Penn State York earn a median of about $18,200 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates have a $2,159 lower median loan debt than Penn State York graduates ($24,659 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State York graduates ($254 vs. $277).
• More Penn State York graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.