Academic Comparison between MCLA and WPI

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Worcester Polytechnic Institute are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. MCLA is a four-year, public school located in North Adams, MA and WPI is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Worcester, 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 WPI is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • WPI has more expensive tuition & fees ($60,765) than MCLA ($21,381).
  • It is harder to admit to WPI than MCLA.
  • WPI has more students with 7,584 students while MCLA has 896 students.
  • MCLA has a lower number of students per faculty with 8 to 1 while WPI's ratio is 13 to 1.
  • WPI has more full-time faculties with 444 faculties while MCLA has 79 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Massachusetts College of Liberal Artsvs.Worcester Polytechnic Institute
North Adams, MassachusettsLocationWorcester, Massachusetts
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationResearch University (high research activity)
In-State$12,436
Out-Of-State$21,381
2025 Tuition & Fees$60,765
82%% Receiving Financial Aid96%
$9,946Average Amount of Financial Aid$30,806
89.74 %Acceptance Rates60.16 %
11.53 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)18.08 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
56 %Graduation Rate90 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
76 %Retention Rate94 %
896Student Population7,584
79Number of Faculties444
8 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services