Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) vs Union College

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Union College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, nestled in the heart of North Adams, Massachusetts, prides itself on its small class sizes, fostering a close-knit community where students receive personalized attention. Union College, located in Schenectady, New York, boasts a larger student body and a diverse range of academic programs, providing ample opportunities for students to explore their interests. While Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has a higher acceptance rate, Union College offers a wider selection of majors, including engineering and business. Discover which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences by delving into the comprehensive comparison table below.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts logo

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Union College logo

Union College

Overview

Location North Adams, Massachusetts Schenectady, New York
Campus setting Town: Fringe City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Trimester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate
Students retention rate 63.0% 91.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 91.0% 47.0%
Application fees $50 $60
SAT range N/A 1270 - 1450
ACT range N/A 28 - 32
Students submitting SAT score 37.0%
Students submitting ACT score 16.0%
Total number of applicants 1,371 7,470
Total number of admissions given out 1,247 3,513
Admitted students who chose to enroll 167 565
Yield rate 13.4% 16.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Required Required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Not required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $25,928

Out of state: $34,873
$77,385
Average net price $14,902 $39,101
Tuition
In state: $1,030

Out of state: $9,975
$61,308
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $7,240

Meal plan: $5,044
Room/dormitory: $8,370

Meal plan: $6,828
Available payment plans
  • Prepaid tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

99.0%
Average amount $8,496
87.0%
Average amount $36,604
Students receiving federal student loan 97.0%
Average amount $3,734
48.0%
Average amount $5,087
Students taking out private loans 12.0%
Average amount $9,492
14.0%
Average amount $20,017

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 870
Men 39.2% Women 60.8%
2,096
Men 54.9% Women 45.1%
Graduate students 124
Men 33.1% Women 66.9%
N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students N/A N/A
International students N/A 9.8%
Campus local/setting Town: Fringe City: Small
Dormitory capacity 1,020 2,049
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Mississippi New York Vermont Connecticut Rhode Island N/A

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Education
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Health Professions
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Social Sciences
  • Engineering
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Liberal Arts
Students to faculty ratio 9:1 9:1
Institutional accreditation New England Commission on Higher Education Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome

Graduation rate 58.4% 84.5%
Dropout rate 41.6% 14.6%
Transferred out N/A 0.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,895
  • Year 2: $63,005
  • Year 3: $73,830
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $31,172
  • Year 2: $34,467
  • Year 3: $40,733
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,359
  • Year 2: $27,181
  • Year 3: $40,148
Education, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $32,284
  • Year 3: $35,408
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $24,617
  • Year 2: $32,569
  • Year 3: $34,741
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $31,798
  • Year 2: $31,828
  • Year 3: $32,817
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,438
  • Year 2: $28,236
  • Year 3: $32,425
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $34,231
  • Year 2: $29,374
  • Year 3: $31,158
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,032
  • Year 2: $43,798
  • Year 3: N/A
Visual and Performing Arts, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $20,169
  • Year 2: $25,194
  • Year 3: N/A
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,637
  • Year 2: $67,812
  • Year 3: $76,098
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,348
  • Year 2: $58,673
  • Year 3: $74,456
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $36,171
  • Year 2: $41,565
  • Year 3: $54,902
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $36,157
  • Year 2: $35,060
  • Year 3: $47,142
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,375
  • Year 2: $34,081
  • Year 3: $44,570
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,903
  • Year 2: $39,585
  • Year 3: $41,845
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $76,460
  • Year 3: N/A
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $59,124
  • Year 3: N/A
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $63,392
  • Year 3: N/A
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $20,824
  • Year 3: N/A

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