At $18,707/yr net price, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates earn $48,102/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $14,102/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,707 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $74,828 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,102/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$14,102/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 49.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,440/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,990/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,698/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,147/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,800/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $22,375 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $47,260 | |
| Education, General. | Master | $43,798 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $34,467 | $22,166 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $32,569 | $25,000 |
| Education, General. | Bachelor | $32,284 | $21,700 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $31,828 | $25,027 |
| History. | Bachelor | $30,409 | |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor | $29,374 | $24,492 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $28,236 | $22,700 |
The Risk Factor
49.1% of students at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts gives you a mixed financial picture that leans heavily on which major you pick. The median graduate earns about $48,000 ten years out against roughly $24,000 in debt, so the overall payoff is modest, not strong. The name says "liberal arts," and the earnings data shows why that matters: the humanities and social science majors here pay poorly.
Computer and Information Sciences is the clear winner. At $63,005, it earns nearly double what the English, education, and sociology programs return, and it carries slightly less debt than most of them. If you come here for computer science, the math works. If you come for English, sociology, or general education, you graduate around $32,000 in earnings while carrying $21,700 to $25,000 in debt. That debt is roughly the same across all these majors, but the payoff is not, so your choice of program is the single biggest financial decision you make here.
Two risks are specific to this school. Only about half of you finish in the tracked window, and fewer than 70% return after freshman year. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome, and those retention and graduation numbers mean that risk is real. North Adams sits in a rural corner of western Massachusetts, far from the Boston job market, which limits local options for lower-paying majors.
On price, families earning under $75,000 pay between $14,000 and $17,000 a year, and the under-$30k tier actually pays less than the middle tiers. Families over $110,000 pay $23,800. This school fits you best if you plan to major in computer science or you qualify for the lower net-price tiers. If you want a humanities degree at full price, look harder at the numbers first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts worth the debt?
With median debt of $23,750 and 10-year earnings of $48,102, MCLA graduates face a reasonable debt-to-income ratio. However, the 49% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish their degree, making this a risky investment for many.
Which programs at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts have the best return on investment?
Computer and Information Sciences graduates earn $63,005 after 10 years, making it the clear winner for ROI at MCLA. Business programs show mixed results, with general business majors earning $47,260 but management graduates only making $34,467.
How does Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts compare to other schools for value?
MCLA's net price of $18,707 is relatively affordable, but the 49% graduation rate and $48,102 median earnings lag behind many comparable schools. The high acceptance rate of 92% suggests less selective admissions standards.
Should I avoid certain majors at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts?
English majors at MCLA earn just $32,569 after 10 years, making it difficult to justify the debt load. Education majors also face below-average earnings at $43,798, though this reflects the broader teacher salary situation rather than school-specific issues.