Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: 92.5% Acceptance Rate

92.5%Acceptance

$11,884Tuition

748Students

49%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$48,102Earnings

Public4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindLiberal ArtsNCAA Division IIIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts draws 748 students to the Berkshire Mountains with a mission centered on affordable liberal arts education. The college built its reputation on strong teacher preparation programs that have sent educators across New England for over a century. With a 92% acceptance rate, MCLA opens doors for students who might struggle to access traditional selective liberal arts colleges. The small-town setting in North Adams puts students at the heart of a community experiencing cultural and economic renewal.

Students pay an average net price of $18,707 after financial aid, with low-income families paying just $14,440. That investment pays off reasonably well, with graduates earning a median of $48,102 ten years after graduation. Students typically leave with $23,750 in debt and monthly loan payments of $252. The numbers work out to a solid return on investment for a public liberal arts degree.

The 8:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention that larger state schools cannot match. About 41% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's role serving first-generation and working-class students. The 49% six-year graduation rate signals that many students face challenges completing their degrees, often due to financial pressures rather than academic struggles.

Academics & Faculty

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts offers a classic liberal arts education with an 8:1 student-faculty ratio that ensures personal attention from professors. The college has built its reputation on teacher preparation programs, drawing students who want to become educators in the Berkshire region. With 748 students total, classes stay small and discussion-focused. The 53% four-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many first-generation college students face, as 40% receive Pell Grants. Students pursue degrees across traditional liberal arts disciplines like English, psychology, and history. The college emphasizes hands-on learning and community engagement. Professors know students by name and mentor them closely through their academic journey.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 8:1
Full-Time Faculty: 65.6%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 52.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 49.1%
Retention Rate: 68.9%
Median Earnings (10 years): $48,102
Carnegie Classification: Liberal Arts College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Computer and Information Sciences, General.	Bachelor	$63,005
Business/Commerce, General.	Master	$47,260
Education, General.	Master	$43,798
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Bachelor	$34,467
English Language and Literature, General.	Bachelor	$32,569
Education, General.	Bachelor	$32,284
Sociology.	Bachelor	$31,828
History.	Bachelor	$30,409
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.	Bachelor	$29,374
Psychology, General.	Bachelor	$28,236

View all 29 programs →

Campus Life

This tiny college of just 748 students sits in the Berkshire Mountains about two hours from both Boston and Albany. You'll need a serious winter coat for the long New England winters that stretch from November through March. The campus feels intimate with an 8:1 student-faculty ratio that means professors know your name.

About 60% of students come from Massachusetts, creating a tight-knit community where nearly everyone lives on campus in residence halls that can house 1,020 students. Weekends revolve around the outdoors, with students hiking nearby trails, skiing at local mountains, or exploring the quirky arts scene in downtown North Adams. The campus hosts regular events that bring together the small student body.

The Trailblazers compete in 13 Division III sports with 157 total athletes, meaning about one in five students plays a varsity sport. North Adams offers coffee shops, galleries, and the well-known MASS MoCA contemporary art museum just off campus. Students often venture to nearby Williamstown or take weekend trips to bigger cities when they need a change of pace from small-town mountain life.

Setting: Town-Fringe
Housing Capacity: 1,020 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1894

Campus Safety (2023)

20 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential
Stalking	4	4
Domestic Violence	3	3
Rape	2	2
Fondling	1	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 13°–31°F
July Avg: 57°–80°F
Annual Precipitation: 46.6"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

The student body at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts reflects its mission as an accessible public option for regional families. With 61% coming from Massachusetts, the college draws heavily from local communities who value its affordable liberal arts education. The slight female majority aligns with the school's strong reputation in teacher preparation and education programs. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, demonstrating the college's commitment to serving working-class families in the Berkshires. Students typically choose MCLA for its small-college feel without the private school price tag.

Men: 44.9%
Women: 55.1%
White: 71.7%
Black: 8.6%
Hispanic: 9.8%
Asian: 1.7%
In-State Students: 60.8%
Pell Grant Recipients: 40.5%

Location

North Adams sits in the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts, about 50 miles east of Albany, New York. The college serves 748 students in this former industrial town that has reinvented itself as an arts destination. The nearby Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art anchors the downtown cultural scene. With 60.82% of students coming from in-state, many appreciate the small-town mountain setting that offers hiking trails and scenic drives. The Berkshires attract visitors year-round for fall foliage and summer festivals. Housing capacity reaches 1,020 students, creating a close-knit campus community. Students considering colleges in Massachusetts may also compare Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts with similar schools in the region.

Address: North Adams, Massachusetts 01247-4100

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $48,102
Median Earnings (5 years): $46,580
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $30,100
Loan Repayment Rate: 59.8%
Monthly Loan Payment: $252/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $23,750

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts?

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts accepts 92.45% of applicants, making it accessible to most students who apply. This small public college in the Berkshire Mountains focuses on providing affordable liberal arts education rather than exclusivity.

How much does Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $18,707, though costs vary by family income. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $14,440 on average, while the median debt load is $23,750 upon graduation.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts?

The student-faculty ratio is 8:1, providing intimate classroom settings with just 748 total students enrolled. This small scale allows for personalized attention and strong mentoring relationships, particularly valuable for the college's well-regarded teacher preparation programs.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts?

The employment rate reaches 95.3% for graduates, though the median earnings of $48,102 after 10 years reflect the college's focus on education and social service careers. The 4-year graduation rate is 52.61%, which is typical for students balancing work and studies at this affordable institution.

Where is Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in North Adams, a small town in western Massachusetts near the Vermont border. With housing capacity for 1,020 students and 13 varsity sports teams competing in Division III, campus life centers around the tight-knit community of Trailblazers.

Does Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts offer good value for teacher preparation?

The college has built a strong reputation for teacher preparation programs since its founding in 1894. With 40.45% of students receiving Pell Grants and low in-state tuition of $11,884, it provides an affordable path into education careers for working-class students.