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Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
- 375 Church St
- North Adams, MA 01247
- OPEID College Code: 00218700
-

- General Phone: (413) 662-5000
- President: Mary K. Grant
- Website: www.mcla.edu

- Type: Public, 4-Year or Above
- Calendar System: Semester
- Highest Degree: Master's Degree
- Local Area: Town Fringe
- Student Enrollment: 1,841
- College Mascot: Trailblazers

Basic Information
- Student Services
- Remedial Services Offered
- Academic or Career Counseling Services Offered
- Employment Services Offered
- Placement Services For Graduates Offered
- Special Learning Opportunities
- Distance Learning Opportunities
- Study Abroad Opportunities
- Teaching K-12 Certification Offered Can Complete Preparation With Specialization State Approved for Certification
- Mission Statement
- Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, residential, liberal arts college, which offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. Its distinctive purpose is to provide a high quality alternative to private liberal arts institutions at a lower cost.
Special features include selective admission, small classes, individualized attention, and academic excellence in an attractive college setting. A challenging curriculum provides flexibility for motivated students to shape their own course of study and encourages them to combine traditional coursework with experiential learning, such as internships, study abroad, and other field experiences. Working with a diverse student body in an intellectually challenging environment, MCLA faculty and staff develop liberally educated citizens with the knowledge, perspectives, critical thinking abilities, and values necessary to become active members of their communities and leaders in their chosen professions.
To accomplish this mission, we seek to develop curricula that integrate liberal arts and professional studies; affirm the value of excellent teaching and reward scholarly and creative activity; expand opportunities for experiential learning to include field experiences, community service, international programs and independent studies; create a campus community that fosters intellectual, cultural, social and recreational activities that enrich education and where the value and worth of all people are affirmed and celebrated; achieve greater diversity within our faculty, administration, staff, and student body; challenge students to succeed and support them in their efforts; and extend our cultural and educational resources to enhance the quality of life in the Berkshires.
- Facilities and Programs Offered
- Library Available - Library Profile
- College Carnegie Classifications
- Basic Classification Baccalaureate Colleges--Arts & Sciences
- Undergraduate Classification Arts & Sciences Plus Professions, Some Graduate Coexistence
- Graduate Classification Single Postbaccalaureate (Education)
- Enrollment Classification High Undergraduate
- Size Classification Small Four-Year, Primarily Residential
- Admission Links
- Admissions: www.mcla.edu
- Online Application: Apply Online
- Admission Fees Fall 2006
- Undergraduate Application Fee: $25.00
- College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credit
- Life Experience Credit
- AP Credit
- Applicant Considerations
- High School or Secondary School GPA Required
- High School or Secondary School Record Required
- College Preparatory Program Completion Required
- Admission Test Scores (SAT ®,ACT ®,...) Required
Undergraduate Admissions Fall 2006
| Male | Female | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Applicants | 522 | 726 | 1,248 |
| Number Granted Admission (%) | 367 (70%) | 525 (72%) | 892 (71%) |
| Number Admitted Who Enrolled (%) | 125 (34%) | 179 (34%) | 304 (34%) |
Enrolled Students Submitting Test Scores Fall 2006
| Number | Percent (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| SAT ® Exam | 289 | 95% |
| ACT ® Exam | 15 | 5% |
Enrolled Students Test Scores Fall 2006
| 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | |
|---|---|---|
| SAT ® Critical Reading | 440 | 570 |
| SAT ® Math | 430 | 550 |
| SAT ® Writing | - | - |
| ACT ® Composite | 20 | 24 |
| ACT ® English | - | - |
| ACT ® Math | - | - |
- Financial Aid Links and Information
- Website: Financial Aid Office
- FAFSA Student Aid: Apply Online
- Percent of Students Receiving Financial Aid: 90%
Financial Aid Breakdown 2006-07
| Loan | Federal Grant | State/Local Grant | Institutional Grant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (%) of Students Receiving | 75% | 27% | 27% | 47% |
| Avg Amount Receiving | $4,839 | $3,684 | $2,268 | $2,409 |
Federal Loan Default Rates
| 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default Rate (%) | 2.7% | 2.3% | 2.5% |
| Number in Default | 13 | 11 | 10 |
| Number in Repayment | 470 | 464 | 386 |
Undergraduate Student Expenses
| 2007-08 | 2006-07 | 2005-06 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition, Fees and Other Expenses | |||
| In-State Tuition and Fees | $6,168 | $5,942 | $5,617 |
| Out of State Tuition and Fees | $15,113 | $14,927 | $14,562 |
| Books and Supplies | $800 | $800 | $800 |
| Housing Expenses | |||
| On Campus | |||
| Room and Board | $7,004 | $6,952 | $6,282 |
| Other Expenses | $1,856 | $1,856 | $2,269 |
| Total Expenses | |||
| On Campus | |||
| In-State | $15,828 | $15,550 | $14,968 |
| Out of State | $24,773 | $24,535 | $23,913 |
| Off Campus | |||
| In-State | $6,968 | $6,742 | $6,417 |
| Out of State | $15,913 | $15,727 | $15,362 |
| Off Campus with Family | |||
| In-State | $6,968 | $6,742 | $6,417 |
| Out of State | $15,913 | $15,727 | $15,362 |
Awarded Student Degrees and Programs
| Bachelor | Master | |
|---|---|---|
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences | ||
| Biology, Biological Sciences | 15 | - |
| Business and Marketing Studies | ||
| Business Administration and Management | 45 | - |
| Computer and Information Sciences | ||
| Computer and Information Sciences | 6 | - |
| Education | ||
| Education | 13 | 27 |
| English Language and Literature | ||
| English Language and Literature | 85 | - |
| History | ||
| History | 13 | - |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | ||
| Multiple, Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 12 | - |
| Mathematics and Statistics | ||
| Mathematics | 3 | - |
| Natural Resources and Conservation | ||
| Environmental Studies | 8 | - |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies | ||
| Philosophy | 3 | - |
| Psychology | ||
| Psychology | 26 | - |
| Social Sciences | ||
| Sociology | 42 | - |
| Visual and Performing Arts | ||
| Arts Management | 1 | - |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 31 | - |
Additional Information
- Overall Student Enrollment
- Total Student Enrollment: 1,841 Undergraduate: 1,550 Graduate: 291
- Student Gender
- Total Student Gender Male: 702 Female: 1,139
- Undergraduate Gender Male: 613 Female: 937
- Graduate Gender Male: 89 Female: 202
- Student Attendance
- Total Student Attendance Full-Time: 1,368 Part-Time: 473
- Undergraduate Attendance Full-Time: 1,334 Part-Time: 216
- Graduate Attendance Full-Time: 34 Part-Time: 257
Student Race Breakdown
| Number | Percent | |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Resident Alien | - | - |
| American Indian | 2 | 0.1% |
| Black | 74 | 4% |
| Asian | 18 | 1% |
| Hispanic | 63 | 3% |
| White | 1,629 | 88% |
| Unknown | 55 | 3% |
Student Age Breakdown
| Number | Percent | |
|---|---|---|
| Age Under 18 | 25 | 1% |
| Ages 18-19 | 568 | 31% |
| Ages 20-21 | 465 | 25% |
| Ages 22-24 | 242 | 13% |
| Ages 25-29 | 143 | 8% |
| Ages 30-34 | 108 | 6% |
| Ages 35-39 | 88 | 5% |
| Ages 40-49 | 122 | 7% |
| Ages 50-65 | 66 | 4% |
| Age Over 65 | 3 | 0.2% |
| Age Uknown | 11 | 0.6% |
Employee Type Breakdown
| Total | Full-Time | Part-Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Employees | 408 | 265 | 143 |
| Faculty Status | 183 | 84 | 99 |
| Tenured Faculty | 61 | 61 | - |
| Instruction, Research and/or Public Service | 183 | 84 | 99 |
| Primarily Instruction | 183 | 84 | 99 |
| Executive, Administrative and/or Managerial | 34 | 34 | - |
| Other Professionals | 75 | 50 | 25 |
| Technical and/or Paraprofessional | 116 | 97 | 19 |
| Clerical And Secretarial | 51 | 40 | 11 |
| Skilled Crafts | 15 | 15 | - |
| Service and/or Maintenance | 40 | 33 | 7 |
Faculty Full-Time Average Salary Breakdown
| Total | Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/10 Month Contract | |||
| All Faculty | $67,675 (84) | $72,268 (47) | $61,842 (37) |
| Professor | $77,821 (45) | $79,808 (30) | $73,845 (15) |
| Associate Professor | $63,261 (13) | $65,658 (7) | $60,464 (6) |
| Assistant Professor | $53,543 (23) | $54,274 (10) | $52,981 (13) |
| Instructor | $42,974 (3) | - (-) | $42,974 (3) |
| Equated 9 Month Contract | |||
| All Faculty | $67,675 (84) | $72,268 (47) | $61,842 (37) |
| Professor | $77,821 (45) | $79,808 (30) | $73,845 (15) |
| Associate Professor | $63,261 (13) | $65,658 (7) | $60,464 (6) |
| Assistant Professor | $53,543 (23) | $54,274 (10) | $52,981 (13) |
| Instructor | $42,974 (3) | - (-) | $42,974 (3) |
Overall Athletic Team Information
- Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (Ncaa)
| Total | Men's Teams | Women's Teams | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participants | |||
| All Athletes | 162 | 80 | 82 |
| Unduplicated Athletes | 147 | 79 | 68 |
| Baseball | 26 | 26 | - |
| Basketball | 32 | 18 | 14 |
| Golf | 7 | 7 | - |
| Soccer | 47 | 22 | 25 |
| Softball | 15 | - | 15 |
| Tennis | 12 | - | 12 |
| Cross Country | 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Volleyball | 13 | - | 13 |
| Coaches Salaries | |||
| Head Coaches | - | $11,157 | $11,105 |
| Assistant Coaches | - | $3,367 | $4,581 |
| Coaches | |||
| All Coaches | 20 | 10 | 10 |
| Baseball | 4 | 4 | - |
| Head Coaches | 1 | 1 | - |
| Assistant Coaches | 3 | 3 | - |
| Basketball | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Head Coaches | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Assistant Coaches | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Golf | 1 | 1 | - |
| Head Coaches | 1 | 1 | - |
| Assistant Coaches | - | - | - |
| Soccer | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Head Coaches | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Assistant Coaches | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Softball | 2 | - | 2 |
| Head Coaches | 1 | - | 1 |
| Assistant Coaches | 1 | - | 1 |
| Tennis | 1 | - | 1 |
| Head Coaches | 1 | - | 1 |
| Assistant Coaches | - | - | - |
| Cross Country | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Head Coaches | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Assistant Coaches | - | - | - |
| Volleyball | 2 | - | 2 |
| Head Coaches | 1 | - | 1 |
| Assistant Coaches | 1 | - | 1 |
- Retention Rates
- Full-Time Entering Students Retained: 71%
- Part-Time Entering Students Retained: 80%
Graduation Rates
| (%) of Entering Class | |
|---|---|
| Overall | |
| All Students | 46% |
| By Gender | |
| Male | 51% |
| Female | 44% |
| By Race | |
| Non-Resident Alien | 25% |
| Black | 58% |
| Asian | 60% |
| Hispanic | 50% |
| White | 46% |
| Unknown | 43% |
| By Years Prior to Graduation | |
| 4 Years or Less | 32% |
| 5 Years | 44% |
| 6 Years | 46% |
Crime Statistics
| 2006-07 | 2005-06 | |
|---|---|---|
| Arrests | ||
| On Campus | ||
| Drug Related | 2 | 5 |
| Residence Hall | ||
| Drug Related | 1 | 2 |
| Criminal Offenses | ||
| On Campus | ||
| Forcible Rape | 3 | - |
| Burglary | 19 | 27 |
| Residence Hall | ||
| Forcible Rape | 3 | - |
| Burglary | 6 | 11 |
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Source: IPEDS Survey 2007-2008
