Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts vs College of Our Lady of the Elms
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public college in North Adams, MA, and College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private college in Chicopee, MA. College of Our Lady of the Elms is the more selective of the two, admitting about 85% of applicants against 90% at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $16,068 a year against $17,545 at College of Our Lady of the Elms. About 66% of students graduate at College of Our Lady of the Elms, compared with 52% at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Ten years after enrolling, College of Our Lady of the Elms alumni earn a median of about $51,540, against $48,102 for Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
North Adams, MA
Chicopee, MA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
713
949
Acceptance rate
90%
85%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.22–3.72
3.41–3.91
SAT (middle 50%)
960–1180
1150–1320
ACT (middle 50%)
17–21
21–24
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$16,068
$17,545
Full cost / yr
$26,026
$54,027
In-state tuition
$12,436
$43,325
Out-of-state tuition
$21,381
$43,325
Application fee
$0
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,845
$8,099
$30k - $48k
$10,762
$22,645
$48k - $75k
$13,250
$17,539
$75k - $110k
$15,958
$21,243
Over $110k
$22,698
$25,491
Outcomes
Graduation rate
52%
66%
Freshman retention
76%
76%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$36,803
$54,087
Median earnings (10 yr)
$48,102
$51,540
Median debt at graduation
$23,750
$25,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
41%
45%
First-generation students
33%
35%
International students
1%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Dec 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Mar 1
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts or College of Our Lady of the Elms harder to get into?
- College of Our Lady of the Elms is harder to get into. It admits about 85% of applicants, compared with 90% at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts or College of Our Lady of the Elms?
- Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is cheaper on average. Students pay about $16,068 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $17,545 at College of Our Lady of the Elms. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and College of Our Lady of the Elms?
- Before aid, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts costs about $26,026 a year and College of Our Lady of the Elms about $54,027. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts or College of Our Lady of the Elms?
- College of Our Lady of the Elms. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,099 there, against about $9,845 at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts or College of Our Lady of the Elms?
- College of Our Lady of the Elms is the larger of the two, with about 949 undergraduates against 713 at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
- Does Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts or College of Our Lady of the Elms have a better graduation rate?
- College of Our Lady of the Elms has the higher graduation rate, at about 66% against 52% at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
- Do graduates of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts or College of Our Lady of the Elms earn more?
- College of Our Lady of the Elms alumni earn more on average: a median of about $51,540 ten years after enrolling, against about $48,102 for Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and College of Our Lady of the Elms require SAT or ACT scores?
- Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. College of Our Lady of the Elms is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and College of Our Lady of the Elms look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 960–1180 at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and 1150–1320 at College of Our Lady of the Elms. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
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Which of these is the better fit for you?
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