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The New England Conservatory of Music vs Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

The New England Conservatory of Music is a private university in Boston, MA. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public college in North Adams, MA. The New England Conservatory of Music admits about 41% of applicants and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts about 90%, making The New England Conservatory of Music the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $16,068 a year at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts after aid, and about $46,754 at The New England Conservatory of Music. About 76% of students graduate at The New England Conservatory of Music, compared with 52% at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Ten years after enrolling, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts alumni earn a median of about $48,102, against $34,483 for The New England Conservatory of Music.

The New England Conservatory of Music

Boston, MA · Private

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

North Adams, MA · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Boston, MA
North Adams, MA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
393
713
Acceptance rate
41%
90%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.22–3.72
SAT (middle 50%)
Not reported
960–1180
ACT (middle 50%)
Not reported
17–21
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$46,754
$16,068
Full cost / yr
$81,277
$26,026
In-state tuition
$60,750
$12,436
Out-of-state tuition
$60,750
$21,381
Application fee
$125
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$47,882
$9,845
$30k - $48k
$44,882
$10,762
$48k - $75k
$45,625
$13,250
$75k - $110k
$45,608
$15,958
Over $110k
$47,387
$22,698
Outcomes
Graduation rate
76%
52%
Freshman retention
88%
76%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$18,830
$36,803
Median earnings (10 yr)
$34,483
$48,102
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
$23,750
Student body
Pell grant recipients
7%
41%
First-generation students
Not reported
33%
International students
43%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Dec 1
Regular decision
Dec 1
Mar 1

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 The New England Conservatory of Music or Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts harder to get into?
The New England Conservatory of Music is harder to get into. It admits about 41% 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, The New England Conservatory of Music or Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts?
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is cheaper on average. Students pay about $16,068 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $46,754 at The New England Conservatory of Music. 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 The New England Conservatory of Music and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts?
Before aid, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts costs about $26,026 a year and The New England Conservatory of Music about $81,277. 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, The New England Conservatory of Music or Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts?
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,845 there, against about $47,882 at The New England Conservatory of Music. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, The New England Conservatory of Music or Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts?
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is the larger of the two, with about 713 undergraduates against 393 at The New England Conservatory of Music.
Does The New England Conservatory of Music or Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts have a better graduation rate?
The New England Conservatory of Music has the higher graduation rate, at about 76% against 52% at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
Do graduates of The New England Conservatory of Music or Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts earn more?
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts alumni earn more on average: a median of about $48,102 ten years after enrolling, against about $34,483 for The New England Conservatory of Music. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do The New England Conservatory of Music and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts require SAT or ACT scores?
The New England Conservatory of Music is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.

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