Academic Comparison between MCLA and Hampshire

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

  • MCLA is a public and Hampshire is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Hampshire has more expensive tuition & fees ($58,896) than MCLA ($21,381).
  • It is harder to admit to Hampshire than MCLA.
  • MCLA has more students with 896 students while Hampshire has 844 students.
  • MCLA has a lower number of students per faculty with 8 to 1 while Hampshire's ratio is 13 to 1.
  • MCLA has more full-time faculties with 79 faculties while Hampshire has 47 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Massachusetts College of Liberal Artsvs.Hampshire College
North Adams, MassachusettsLocationAmherst, Massachusetts
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$12,436
Out-Of-State$21,381
2025 Tuition & Fees$58,896
82%% Receiving Financial Aid100%
$9,946Average Amount of Financial Aid$45,325
89.74 %Acceptance Rates75.28 %
11.53 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)14.39 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
56 %Graduation Rate54 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
76 %Retention Rate78 %
896Student Population844
79Number of Faculties47
8 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesStudy Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Placement services, On-campus daycare