University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) vs Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA)

Envision yourself pursuing higher education at either the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) or Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA). UIS, a public university, boasts a higher acceptance rate (88%) compared to MCLA's selective admissions (67%). UIS offers a broader range of undergraduate programs, including popular choices like Business, Psychology, and Criminal Justice, while MCLA specializes in Liberal Arts and Sciences, with strengths in English, History, and Political Science. UIS attracts a larger and more diverse student body, with a higher percentage of male students and a greater ethnic diversity. MCLA, on the other hand, has a smaller student population with a higher proportion of female students. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with UIS slightly edging out MCLA. Dive into the detailed comparison table to uncover further distinctions and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts logo

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

University of Illinois Springfield logo

University of Illinois Springfield

Overview

Location North Adams, Massachusetts Springfield, Illinois
Campus setting Town: Fringe City: Midsize
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 63.0% 67.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 91.0% 79.5%
Application fees $50
SAT range N/A 990 - 1250
ACT range N/A 21 - 27
Students submitting SAT score 50.0%
Students submitting ACT score 20.0%
Total number of applicants 1,371 2,496
Total number of admissions given out 1,247 1,984
Admitted students who chose to enroll 167 264
Yield rate 13.4% 13.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Not required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $25,928

Out of state: $34,873
In state: $16,411

Out of state: $26,026
Average net price $14,902 $11,965
Tuition
In state: $1,030

Out of state: $9,975
In state: $9,503

Out of state: $19,118
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $7,240

Meal plan: $5,044
Room/dormitory: $7,610

Meal plan: $4,200
Available payment plans
  • Prepaid tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Guaranteed tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

99.0%
Average amount $8,496
94.0%
Average amount $12,335
Students receiving federal student loan 97.0%
Average amount $3,734
49.0%
Average amount $5,016
Students taking out private loans 12.0%
Average amount $9,492
4.0%
Average amount $8,320

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 870
Men 39.2% Women 60.8%
2,503
Men 46.8% Women 53.2%
Graduate students 124
Men 33.1% Women 66.9%
1,441
Men 48.9% Women 51.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students N/A 8.8%
International students N/A 6.9%
Campus local/setting Town: Fringe City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity 1,020 1,123
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Mississippi New York Vermont Connecticut Rhode Island Illinois Wisconsin Indiana Michigan Minnesota

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Education
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Health Professions
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Business
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Psychology
  • Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio 9:1 12:1
Institutional accreditation New England Commission on Higher Education Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 58.4% 53.4%
Dropout rate 41.6% 45.1%
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,895
  • Year 2: $63,005
  • Year 3: $73,830
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $31,172
  • Year 2: $34,467
  • Year 3: $40,733
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,359
  • Year 2: $27,181
  • Year 3: $40,148
Education, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $32,284
  • Year 3: $35,408
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $24,617
  • Year 2: $32,569
  • Year 3: $34,741
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $31,798
  • Year 2: $31,828
  • Year 3: $32,817
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,438
  • Year 2: $28,236
  • Year 3: $32,425
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $34,231
  • Year 2: $29,374
  • Year 3: $31,158
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,032
  • Year 2: $43,798
  • Year 3: N/A
Visual and Performing Arts, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $20,169
  • Year 2: $25,194
  • Year 3: N/A
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $75,512
  • Year 2: $78,343
  • Year 3: $90,183
Computer Systems Analysis (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $76,296
  • Year 2: $75,989
  • Year 3: $80,475
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $71,137
  • Year 2: $64,493
  • Year 3: $73,396
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,516
  • Year 2: $60,399
  • Year 3: $69,637
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,304
  • Year 2: $56,579
  • Year 3: $56,325
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,819
  • Year 2: $50,231
  • Year 3: $56,077
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,603
  • Year 2: $50,856
  • Year 3: $54,419
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,642
  • Year 2: $50,161
  • Year 3: $53,394
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,054
  • Year 2: $51,392
  • Year 3: $49,957
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,513
  • Year 2: $40,209
  • Year 3: $48,226

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