Academic Comparison between Nichols and MCLA

Nichols College and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Nichols is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Dudley, 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.

  • Nichols is a private (not-for-profit) and MCLA is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Nichols has more expensive tuition & fees ($42,705) than MCLA ($21,381).
  • It is harder to admit to Nichols than MCLA.
  • Nichols has more students with 1,392 students while MCLA has 896 students.
  • MCLA has a lower number of students per faculty with 8 to 1 while Nichols's ratio is 15 to 1.
  • MCLA has more full-time faculties with 79 faculties while Nichols has 49 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Nichols Collegevs.Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Dudley, MassachusettsLocationNorth Adams, Massachusetts
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Master's College and University (medium programs)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
$42,7052025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$12,436
Out-Of-State$21,381
91%% Receiving Financial Aid82%
$25,256Average Amount of Financial Aid$9,946
80.84 %Acceptance Rates89.74 %
18.10 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)11.53 %
1,140SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
63 %Graduation Rate56 %
8 %Transfer-out Rate-
72 %Retention Rate76 %
1,392Student Population896
49Number of Faculties79
15 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio8 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening CollegeSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services