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 ($58,870) than MCLA ($20,829).
  • It is harder to admit to WPI than MCLA.
  • WPI has more students with 7,308 students while MCLA has 938 students.
  • MCLA has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while WPI's ratio is 13 to 1.
  • WPI has more full-time faculties with 408 faculties while MCLA has 87 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$11,884
Out-Of-State$20,829
2024 Tuition & Fees$58,870
100%% Receiving Financial Aid94%
$9,643Average Amount of Financial Aid$27,715
92.03 %Acceptance Rates58.00 %
13.03 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)20.00 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
55 %Graduation Rate88 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
64 %Retention Rate91 %
938Student Population7,308
87Number of Faculties408
9 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