Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 713 students.
About This School
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public institution located in North Adams, Massachusetts with approximately 713 undergraduate students enrolled. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 90%. The average net price after financial aid is $16,068 per year. The graduation rate is 56%, and the typical graduate earns $38,300 within 10 years of enrollment.
The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), formerly known as North Adams State College (NASC), is a public liberal arts college in North Adams, Massachusetts. It is part of the state university system of Massachusetts. It is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. Originally established as part of the state's normal school system for training teachers, it now offers programs leading to Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees, as well as a Master of Education track.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at $18,707/year average net price and only $15,750 in median debt at graduation, the cost side is genuinely reasonable for a public liberal arts experience in a small, arts-friendly town. But the 49% graduation rate and 69% freshman retention rate are real red flags — nearly one in three first-year students doesn't come back for sophomore year, which suggests this environment doesn't work for everyone. If you're self-motivated, drawn to small classes, and have a clear plan, it's worth a look — but go in eyes open, because the $38,300 median earnings at 10 years means you'll need to be intentional about how you use the degree.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 10% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (713 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
375 Church Street
North Adams, MA 01247-4100
Official Links
Other Schools in Massachusetts
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Northeastern University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Boston, MA · Public
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA · Public
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofit
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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