Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts at a Glance
The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), formerly known as North Adams State College (NASC), is a public liberal arts college in North Adams, Massachusetts. It is part of the state university system of Massachusetts. It is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. Originally established as part of the state's normal school system for training teachers, it now offers programs leading to Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees, as well as a Master of Education trac…
1894
132 years old
$15M
$14.7 million (2020)
896
794 undergrad · 102 grad
78
105 acres
Identity
Is Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $48,102 — 11% below average — while paying $16,068/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 52% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #17 of 32 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Alpena Community College | 100 | $3,320 | $36,442 |
| #2 | Haskell Indian Nations University | 90 | $3,134 | $37,043 |
| #3 | Grays Harbor College | 75 | $4,783 | $40,865 |
| #4 | University of Maine at Fort Kent | 68 | $7,482 | $51,077 |
| #5 | Ohio University-Eastern Campus | 68 | $3,925 | $52,581 |
| #6 | Northwest College | 57 | $7,463 | $36,950 |
| #17 | Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts | 39 | $16,068 | $48,102 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
The highest-earning program at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $59,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $26,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts earns $59,300, while a Biology, General graduate earns $26,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $24,035 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,068/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $59,300 | $59,300 | $24,035 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $31,400 | $31,400 | $23,365 |
| Sociology | $31,100 | $31,100 | $24,372 |
| Psychology, General | $28,600 | $28,600 | $24,562 |
| Education, General | $27,600 | $27,600 | $22,528 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $27,500 | $27,500 | $25,445 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $26,700 | $26,700 | $23,845 |
| Biology, General | $26,200 | $26,200 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in MA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- North Adams, MA
- Student Body
- 713 students
- Admission Rate
- 90%
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,068
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $48,102
- Median Student Debt
- $23,750