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Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts vs Franklin W Olin College of Engineering

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public college in North Adams, MA, and Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private college in Needham, MA. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is the more selective of the two, admitting about 25% 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 $25,171 at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering. About 94% of students graduate at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering, compared with 52% at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Ten years after enrolling, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering alumni earn a median of about $129,455, against $48,102 for Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

North Adams, MA · Public

Franklin W Olin College of Engineering

Needham, MA · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
North Adams, MA
Needham, MA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
713
377
Acceptance rate
90%
25%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.22–3.72
3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)
960–1180
1493–1558
ACT (middle 50%)
17–21
34–35
Test policy
Test blind
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$16,068
$25,171
Full cost / yr
$26,026
$86,474
In-state tuition
$12,436
$66,398
Out-of-state tuition
$21,381
$66,398
Application fee
$0
$85
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,845
Not reported
$30k - $48k
$10,762
$3,100
$48k - $75k
$13,250
$9,528
$75k - $110k
$15,958
$12,271
Over $110k
$22,698
$27,096
Outcomes
Graduation rate
52%
94%
Freshman retention
76%
98%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$36,803
$105,483
Median earnings (10 yr)
$48,102
$129,455
Median debt at graduation
$23,750
$19,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
41%
12%
First-generation students
33%
Not reported
International students
1%
7%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Dec 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Mar 1
Dec 15

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.

Frequently asked questions
Is Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering harder to get into?
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is harder to get into. It admits about 25% 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 Franklin W Olin College of Engineering?
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is cheaper on average. Students pay about $16,068 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $25,171 at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering. 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 Franklin W Olin College of Engineering?
Before aid, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts costs about $26,026 a year and Franklin W Olin College of Engineering about $86,474. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is bigger, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering?
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is the larger of the two, with about 713 undergraduates against 377 at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering.
Does Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering have a better graduation rate?
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering has the higher graduation rate, at about 94% against 52% at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
Do graduates of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering earn more?
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering alumni earn more on average: a median of about $129,455 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 Franklin W Olin College of Engineering require SAT or ACT scores?
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Franklin W Olin College of Engineering look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 960–1180 at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and 1493–1558 at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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