MCLA vs. Salem State University

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Salem State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Salem State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: MCLA (89.7% admitted vs 95.9%). Typical SAT 1070 vs 1080.
  • Cheaper after aid: MCLA. Average net price is $16,544 vs $17,541 at Salem State University.
  • Graduation: MCLA 53% vs Salem State University 42%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: MCLA $37,100 vs Salem State University $44,400 (median).
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Key differences

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Salem State University
Acceptance rate
MCLA more selective
MCLA89.7%
Salem State University95.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
MCLA higher
MCLA960-1180
Salem State University990-1160
Average net price
MCLA $997 less
MCLA$16,544
Salem State University$17,541
In-state tuition
Salem State University $98 less
MCLA$12,436
Salem State University$12,338
Out-of-state tuition
Salem State University $1,850 less
MCLA$21,381
Salem State University$19,531
Graduation rate
MCLA +11 pts
MCLA53%
Salem State University42%
Median earnings (10 years)
Salem State University +$7,300
MCLA$37,100
Salem State University$44,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • MCLA 1,208
  • Salem State University 7,953
  • Admitted
  • MCLA 1,084
  • Salem State University 7,625
  • Acceptance rate
  • MCLA 89.7%
  • Salem State University 95.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • MCLA 11.5%
  • Salem State University 11.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • MCLA 1070
  • Salem State University 1080
  • Typical ACT score
  • MCLA 19
  • Salem State University
  • Average high school GPA
  • MCLA 3.2
  • Salem State University 3.17
  • Typical high school grades
  • MCLA B+
  • Salem State University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • MCLA Extremely Easy
  • Salem State University Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • MCLA
  • Salem State University
  • SAT range
  • MCLA 960-1180
  • Salem State University 990-1160
  • ACT range
  • MCLA 17-21
  • Salem State University
  • Submit test scores
  • MCLA Test-free
  • Salem State University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • MCLA
  • Salem State University Jun 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • MCLA $12,436
  • Salem State University $12,338
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • MCLA $21,381
  • Salem State University $19,531
  • Room & board
  • MCLA $15,386
  • Salem State University $16,838
  • Average net price
  • MCLA $16,544
  • Salem State University $17,541
  • Average grant aid
  • MCLA $9,045
  • Salem State University $10,319
  • % receiving grant aid
  • MCLA 99%
  • Salem State University 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • MCLA 53%
  • Salem State University 42%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • MCLA $37,100
  • Salem State University $44,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • MCLA 63%
  • Salem State University 63%
  • Median student loan debt
  • MCLA $24,659
  • Salem State University $24,000
  • Median loan payment
  • MCLA $254
  • Salem State University $248
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • MCLA 8:1
  • Salem State University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • MCLA
    • English and Literature (20%)
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Salem State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Location
  • MCLA North Adams, MA
  • Salem State University Salem, MA
  • Setting
  • MCLA Distant Town
  • Salem State University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • MCLA 896
  • Salem State University 6,230
  • Type
  • MCLA Public 4 Year
  • Salem State University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • MCLA
  • Salem State University #779

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA with Salem State University in Salem, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Salem State University is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 896 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is located in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting); Salem State University is in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; Salem State University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 8.6% lower than at Salem State University ($15,386 vs. $16,838).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.5% higher at MCLA than at Salem State University (about $1,850 more per year; $21,381 vs. $19,531).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at Salem State University (99% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 14.1% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($10,319 vs. $9,045).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both MCLA and Salem State University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at MCLA average a 3.2 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Salem State University (3.17).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at MCLA vs. 11.3% at Salem State University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $659 lower median loan debt than MCLA graduates ($24,000 vs. $24,659).
  • Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCLA graduates ($248 vs. $254).
  • More MCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 63%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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