North Adams, MA Overview
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public 4-year college located in North Adams, Massachusetts. There are currently 760 undergraduates at MCLA and the school’s acceptance rate is 92%. The tuition at MCLA is $11,590 for in-state students and $20,535 for out-of-state.
Liberal Arts
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
760
Pell Grant 43%
Undergrad Students Over 25 13%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 11%
Percent Male / Female 43% / 57%
Ethnic Diversity at MCLA
68% White
11% Black
11% Hispanic
4% Multiracial
3% Unknown
3% Asian / Pacific Islander
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
9:1
Graduation Rate
56%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Psychology
15%
15% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
14%
14% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
11%
11% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
10%
10% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
9%
9% of graduates
Social Sciences
8%
8% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
7%
7% of graduates
English Language & Literature
7%
7% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
6%
6% of graduates
History
4%
4% of graduates
Education
4%
4% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
3%
3% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
2%
2% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$30,025
$21,340
$17,630
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$30,025for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$38,970for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since MCLA is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at MCLA is $30,025 for in-state students in MA, and $38,970 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at MCLA would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Using State Grants at MCLA
Massachusetts residents who are considering MCLA should be sure to look into state grants to help fund your education. Massachusetts has a wide variety of programs, including the need-based tuition waiver program, the MASSGrant, the Massachusetts Gilbert Matching Student Grant Program, and MCAS Scholarships. The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, which is for students who performed well on the MCAS, offers a tuition waiver for up to eight semesters of public school.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Massachusetts scholarships
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is 002187.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Tuition Break Program
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in a state that participates in the Tuition Break tuition reciprocity program. That means if you are a resident of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont, you may be eligible to receive discounted tuition. Eligibility for this program varies by state and only applies to approved programs, so be sure to check out the Tuition Break website to find out more, as well as getting in touch with Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's financial aid office.
Pell Grants at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
46% of students at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
MCLA students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at MCLA or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
Admissions Snapshot
92%
Is MCLA test-optional?
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is test-blind, which means that it does not allow applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that they won’t consider these scores from any applicant. Decisions are based more heavily on grades, extracurricular activities, essays, interviews, and other factors.
Early Action
Rolling deadline at MCLA
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts accepts applications on a rolling basis. That means that the earlier you submit your application, the better chance you have of gaining admission and strong financial aid. Many schools with rolling admissions have priority deadlines, which means that students that submit their application before these dates have a better chance of receiving financial aid. Be sure to check MCLA's website to become familiar with their admissions dates.
Should I apply Early Action at MCLA?
Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.
Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$48,102
Median Debt $23,750
Debt 10 years after graduation $252
Graduation Rate 56%
What is the graduation rate at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts?
56% of students who start at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 2% less than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $48,102. This is $2,289 less than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at MCLA take out in loans?
Graduates of MCLA have to take out a median of $23,750 in federal student loans. This is $10,250 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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