Public
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
North Adams, Massachusetts
92.4% Acceptance Rate
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
92.4%Acceptance Rate
3.2Avg GPA
1070Avg SAT
$27,705Annual Cost
$48,102Grad Salary
40.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
92.4%
Avg GPA
3.2
Avg SAT
1070
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1030–1100
Avg Net Price
$18,707
Need-Based Aid
40.5% receive Pell
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MA) is a public institution known for its intimate, liberal arts-focused experience. Admissions evaluate the student's academic rigor and potential for community participation. They seek intellectually engaged students who will thrive in a small, supportive, and discussion-based environment.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Acceptance Rate
Admission at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is inclusive by design: 92.4% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 92.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.20 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.00 – 3.19
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.75
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark August 1 for Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (Fall Final — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 6 days left — Fall Final
Fall Final
August 1
Spring
December 15
Fall Priority
March 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
MCLA GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at MCLA is 3.2. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.90–3.2 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.40–3.60.MCLA GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context — leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.20 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.00 – 3.19
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.80 – 2.99
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.79
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- One of only 25 institutions nationally designated a "public liberal arts college" (COPLAC member); the only one in Massachusetts
- Personal essay is a required part of first-year evaluation under Massachusetts DHE guidelines, alongside transcript strength - not an optional supplement
- Located adjacent to MASS MoCA with an established campus-community arts partnership history (Gallery 51, DownStreet Art)
- Reports the lowest student debt among Massachusetts colleges; rolling admissions
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at MCLA
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at MCLA — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into MCLA Without SAT or ACT?
MCLA neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Average SAT Score: 1070
Admitted students at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts average a 1070 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1070 — Accessible
A 1070 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1100 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1030? A retake is worth it at MCLA — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1070 | 1030 | 1100 |
A score under 1030 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1100+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) with a 1100 SAT?
At 1100, your SAT is squarely in MCLA's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for MCLA
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
MCLA's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Treat the COPLAC designation as a genuine differentiator, not marketing language
MCLA is one of only 25 institutions nationally designated a "public liberal arts college" and the only one in Massachusetts, holding membership in COPLAC (Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges) - meaning it delivers a small, private-liberal-arts-style experience at public-university pricing. Reference this designation and what it actually means (small classes, broad core curriculum, faculty-student closeness) rather than describing MCLA generically as "a small state school."
Write the personal essay as a required document, not an optional add-on
Unlike many public universities where an essay is a courtesy supplement, MCLA's first-year review is explicitly built around high school performance, curriculum strength, and a personal essay required under Massachusetts Department of Higher Education guidelines. This essay should get the same seriousness as a private-college personal statement - it's mandated here, not optional.
Reference the MASS MoCA and downtown arts partnership for arts-interested applicants
MCLA sits adjacent to MASS MoCA and has an established partnership history (Gallery 51, DownStreet Art) integrating student and community art directly into downtown North Adams. An applicant interested in visual art, arts administration, or museum studies should name this specific local ecosystem rather than generic "study art near a museum" language, since it signals real familiarity with the campus's actual environment.
Lead with specific affordability data, not vague "low cost" language
MCLA reports its graduates carry the lowest student debt among Massachusetts colleges - a specific, comparative claim. Families weighing MCLA against other Massachusetts publics or private liberal arts schools should ask admissions directly for current net-price and debt-outcome figures to make this comparison concrete rather than relying on the general reputation.
Expert Insight:
Some third-party data aggregators still describe MCLA as requiring SAT/ACT scores. Families relying on those older sources may over-invest in test prep and under-invest in the personal essay, when the school's own current guidance centers on transcript strength and the DHE-mandated essay - confirm current testing policy directly with MCLA admissions rather than trusting aggregator pages.
MCLA Profile
Full Name
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA)
City
North Adams
State
Massachusetts
ZIP Code
01247-4100
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a MCLA Degree Worth It?
At $27,705/year against a $48,102 median graduate salary, MCLA is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $64,300, and graduates see a 3.24% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from MCLA Cost?
Listed tuition runs $27,705/year at MCLA; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $18,707.
At MCLA, 40.5% receive a Pell Grant and 60.5% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming MCLA on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a MCLA Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, MCLA graduates report a median income of $48,102, about 18% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
| Piedmont University | Demorest, GA | 1074 | 21 |
| Shorter University | Rome, GA | 1075 | 20 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
Degree Programs at MCLA
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Professional Certificate Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About MCLA Admissions
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates earn a lower median salary of $48,102/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is relatively affordable, around $27,705/year.
40.5% of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's acceptance rate is 92.4%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students is 3.2, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.9 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.8 or below makes admission tougher at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1070, and within the 1030–1100 range, keeps you competitive.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's deadline is August 1 (Fall Final).
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts charges an application fee of 50; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 15, 2026 — that's Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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