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 |
![]() 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% |
![]() |
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 |
|
|
|
||
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 |
|
|
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)
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)
|
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
|
Compare Similar Colleges
The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing
statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you
don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page.
There, you can search for the
specific colleges and initiate your comparison.


























































































































































































































