Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts — College Profile

About

As the designated public liberal arts college of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is renowned for delivering an accessible, high-impact education with standout programs in arts management, business administration, biology, and education. Nestled in the scenic Berkshire Mountains, the college fosters a close-knit, inclusive campus culture characterized by small class sizes, personalized faculty mentorship, and active student-led organizations. MCLA uniquely sets itself apart through deep ties to its creative surroundings, offering students immersive experiential learning and internships through partnerships with world-class cultural institutions like MASS MoCA.

Wikipedia:The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), formerly known as North Adams State College (NASC), is a public liberal arts college in North Adams, Massachusetts. It is part of the state university system of Massachusetts. It is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. Originally established as part of the state's normal school system for training teachers, it now offers programs leading to Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees, as well as graduate degrees and advanced certificates.

Location

North Adams, MA, 01247-4100 · Town campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

ALB · Albany

36 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition & fees$12,436$21,381

Housing & food (on campus)$15,386$15,386

Books & supplies$1,000$1,000

Cost of attendance$33,383$42,328

Average net price$16,068Not published

Out-of-state prices

Tuition & fees$21,381

In-state: $12,436

Housing & food (on campus)$15,386

Books & supplies$1,000

Cost of attendance$42,328

In-state: $33,383

Average net priceNot published

In-state: $16,068

Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.mcla.edu

How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2025-26

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts’s own figures for 2025-2026, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.

Tuition$9,975

Fees$11,717

Housing$10,402

Food$6,734

Books & supplies$1,200

Personal expenses$1,700

Transportation$550

Total published by the school$42,328

Source: www.mcla.edu · checked Oct 1, 2026

See how the in-state total ($33,383) is made up

How it’s made up · in-state, 2025-26

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts’s own figures for 2025-2026, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.

Tuition$1,030

Fees$11,717

Housing$10,402

Food$6,734

Books & supplies$1,200

Personal expenses$1,700

Transportation$550

Total published by the school$33,383

Source: www.mcla.edu · checked Oct 1, 2026

Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24

$0–30k

$9,845

$30–48k

$10,762

$48–75k

$13,250

$75–110k

$15,958

$110k+

$22,698

Your family's actual price → Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

52%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

46%

Back for yr 2

76%

Transferred

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

57% graduated · 29% transferred · 13% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$36,803

10 yrs after entry$48,102

Debt

Median at graduation$23,750

Monthly payment$252

Middle 50% owe$6.6k–$26.7k

90th percentile$32,105

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

90%

Test policy

Not required

Per College Scorecard

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Essay prompts

If Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 45%Women 55%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

8 : 1

Pell grant

41%

First-gen

33%

Family income

$45,534

Independent

19%

Age at entry

22.0

Part-time

Race & ethnicity

White

73%

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division III without football · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's
Cross Country
Women's
Golf
Men's
Ice Hockey
Men's · Women's
Lacrosse
Men's
Other Sports
Men's · Women's
Soccer
Men's · Women's
Softball
Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$36,803

After 10 yrs

$48,102

Business Administration, Management and Operations31

Psychology, General26

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other24

Sociology19

English Language and Literature, General17

Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General17

Visual and Performing Arts, General15

Education, General11

Communication and Media Studies10

Natural Resources Conservation and Research8

Biology, General8

History8

Computer and Information Sciences, General7

Political Science and Government7

Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management7

Fine and Studio Arts5

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$23M

Full-time faculty

64%

Faculty salary

$10,457/mo

Teaching spend

$22,306

per student

Federal loans

61%

Classification

Carnegie type

Baccalaureate — arts & sciences

Undergraduate profile