Academic Comparison between BU and MCLA

Boston University and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. BU is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Boston, MA and MCLA is a four-year, public school located in North Adams, MA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • BU is a private (not-for-profit) and MCLA is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • BU has more expensive tuition & fees ($68,102) than MCLA ($21,381).
  • It is harder to admit to BU than MCLA.
  • BU has more students with 37,737 students while MCLA has 896 students.
  • MCLA has a lower number of students per faculty with 8 to 1 while BU's ratio is 10 to 1.
  • BU has more full-time faculties with 3,236 faculties while MCLA has 79 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Boston Universityvs.Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Boston, MassachusettsLocationNorth Adams, Massachusetts
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
$68,1022025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$12,436
Out-Of-State$21,381
50%% Receiving Financial Aid82%
$54,501Average Amount of Financial Aid$9,946
11.11 %Acceptance Rates89.74 %
37.35 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)11.53 %
1,480SAT Score-
33ACT Score-
89 %Graduation Rate56 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
95 %Retention Rate76 %
37,737Student Population896
3,236Number of Faculties79
10 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio8 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services