Academic Comparison between MCLA and Williams

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Williams College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. MCLA is a four-year, public school located in North Adams, MA and Williams is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Williamstown, 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 Williams is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Williams has more expensive tuition & fees ($68,560) than MCLA ($21,381).
  • It is harder to admit to Williams than MCLA.
  • Williams has more students with 2,164 students while MCLA has 896 students.
  • Williams has a lower number of students per faculty with 6 to 1 while MCLA's ratio is 8 to 1.
  • Williams has more full-time faculties with 309 faculties while MCLA has 79 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Massachusetts College of Liberal Artsvs.Williams College
North Adams, MassachusettsLocationWilliamstown, Massachusetts
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$12,436
Out-Of-State$21,381
2025 Tuition & Fees$68,560
82%% Receiving Financial Aid56%
$9,946Average Amount of Financial Aid$66,207
89.74 %Acceptance Rates8.25 %
11.53 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)43.00 %
-SAT Score1,540
-ACT Score34
56 %Graduation Rate94 %
-Transfer-out Rate1 %
76 %Retention Rate97 %
896Student Population2,164
79Number of Faculties309
8 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio6 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesROTC, Study Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare