USJ vs. MCLA

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT with Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Saint Joseph is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (1,952 students vs. 896 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Saint Joseph is located in West Hartford, CT (Small City setting); Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Saint Joseph is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Saint Joseph 10:1; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1.

USJ vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USJ or MCLA? 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 USJ ($16,544 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Saint Joseph are 6.2% lower than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($14,426 vs. $15,386).
• University of Saint Joseph is 280.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $34,842 more per year; $47,278.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.1% higher at USJ than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $25,897 more per year; $47,278.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Saint Joseph than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Saint Joseph students is 239.9% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($30,747 vs. $9,045).

USJ vs. MCLA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USJ or MCLA? 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 MCLA and USJ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (1070) is 60 points higher than at USJ (1010).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Saint Joseph 850/1170; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMassachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USJ - Test optional; MCLA - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman USJ students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than USJ (78.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at USJ vs. 11.5% at MCLA.

USJ vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USJ and MCLA? 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).

• University of Saint Joseph's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's (53%).
• Graduates from University of Saint Joseph earn a median of about $14,100 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 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 USJ graduates ($24,659 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USJ graduates ($254 vs. $279).
• More MCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USJ students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 60%)

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.