Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) vs Dickinson College
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Dickinson College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, nestled in the heart of North Adams, Massachusetts, is a public liberal arts college known for its commitment to affordability and accessibility, with an acceptance rate of 88%. Dickinson College, located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, is a private liberal arts college renowned for its rigorous academics and vibrant campus life, with an acceptance rate of 33%. While both colleges offer a diverse range of majors, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts excels in fields like psychology, business, and education, while Dickinson College is known for its strengths in history, political science, and international studies. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about the differences in student body demographics, graduation rates, and other key factors that can help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Dickinson College |
![]() Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts |
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Overview |
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Location | Carlisle, Pennsylvania | North Adams, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | City: Small | Town: Fringe |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 92.0% | 63.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 48.1% | 91.0% |
Application fees | $65 | $50 |
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 6,366 | 1,371 |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,061 | 1,247 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 677 | 167 |
Yield rate | 22.1% | 13.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $77,300 |
In state:
$25,928
Out of state:
$34,873
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Average net price | $20,913 | $14,902 |
Tuition | $58,158 |
In state:
$1,030
Out of state:
$9,975
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,866
Meal plan:
$7,386
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Room/dormitory:
$7,240
Meal plan:
$5,044
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
92.0%
Average amount $39,555 |
99.0%
Average amount $8,496 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
41.0%
Average amount $3,696 |
97.0%
Average amount $3,734 |
Students taking out private loans |
16.0%
Average amount $9,232 |
12.0%
Average amount $9,492 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,180
Men 42.1% Women 57.9% |
870
Men 39.2% Women 60.8% |
Graduate students |
6
Men 33.3% Women 66.7% |
124
Men 33.1% Women 66.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 12.3% | N/A |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | 2,118 | 1,020 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Mississippi New York Vermont Connecticut Rhode Island |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 82.4% | 58.4% |
Dropout rate | 17.6% | 41.6% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
International Business (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Visual and Performing Arts, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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