MCLA vs. Western New England University

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA with Western New England University in Springfield, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western New England University is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (3,674 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); Western New England University is in Springfield, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western New England University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1; Western New England University 12:1.

MCLA vs. Western New England University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCLA or Western New England University? 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 Western New England University ($16,544 vs. $27,056).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 1.2% lower than at Western New England University ($15,386 vs. $15,570).
• Western New England University is 284.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $35,384 more per year; $47,820.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 123.7% higher at Western New England University than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $26,439 more per year; $47,820.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at Western New England University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western New England University students is 265.6% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($33,067 vs. $9,045).

MCLA vs. Western New England University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCLA or Western New England University? 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 Western New England University and MCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western New England University (1200) is 130 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Incoming Western New England University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 19 at MCLA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180; Western New England University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21; Western New England University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCLA - Test-free; Western New England University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Western New England University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than Western New England University (83.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at MCLA vs. 12.5% at Western New England University.

MCLA vs. Western New England University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCLA and Western New England University? 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).

• Western New England University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's (53%).
• Graduates from Western New England University earn a median of about $22,700 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates have a $2,341 lower median loan debt than Western New England University graduates ($24,659 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western New England University graduates ($254 vs. $279).
• More Western New England University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.