September 24, 2024
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has earned the No. 6 spot on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Top Public Liberal Arts Schools in the nation, after earning the No. 7 spot for the past three consecutive years. The College’s continued commitment to affordable education and economic prosperity is reflected in additional 2025 U.S. News rankings: No. 5 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for liberal arts colleges in the state and No. 2 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for public liberal arts colleges in the country.
MCLA has appeared on U.S. News’ list of Top Ten Public Colleges for 10 consecutive years. The College has also been acknowledged in its list of National Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Mobility since the organization adopted this ranking in 2019. This list measures how well institutions graduate students who receive federal Pell Grants, typically awarded to students whose families make less than $50,000, though most Pell Grant money goes to families with income below $20,000.
More than 41% of MCLA undergraduate students receive Pell Grants, and 49% are the
first in their families to go to college. Overall, 95% of MCLA students receive some
kind of financial aid.
“As we celebrate a decade of MCLA ranking in the Top Ten of Public Colleges, I continue
to be proud of the incredible faculty and staff who make the College such an exceptional
place to learn,” said President James F. Birge, Ph.D. “Our success is possible because
of their unwavering commitment to our students. I am grateful to be part of an institution
that focuses on offering an affordable, high quality, public liberal arts education
that earns us continuous rankings as a top performer on social mobility.”
“Being ranked as a Top Ten Public College is just one of the many ways MCLA’s dedication
to its students is made visible,” said Mohan Boodram, chair of the MCLA Board of Trustees.
“The positive impact MCLA makes on their lives, as well as on the community at large,
is impressive and I am pleased that the hard work that goes into making the College
a high-quality, accessible, and affordable educational option has again been recognized.”
U.S. News ranks colleges based on indicators that reflect a school’s financial strength,
faculty expertise, and educational outcome measures. For more information, go to usnews.com/colleges.
About MCLA
At MCLA, we’re here for all — and focused on each — of our students. Classes are taught
by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive
on every level of their lives. In every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed
to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully empowered
to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 130-year commitment to
public education, we have fortified our dedication to equitable academic excellence.
MCLA has appeared on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Top Ten Public Colleges for
10 consecutive years, earning the No. 6 spot on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts
Schools in the nation for 2025, after earning the No. 7 spot the prior three years.
The College’s focus on affordable education and economic prosperity is reflected in
additional 2025 U.S. News rankings: No. 5 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for
liberal arts colleges in the state and No. 2 for Top Performer on Social Mobility
for public liberal arts colleges in the country. These rankings measure how well schools
graduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants.
Learn more at www.mcla.edu.
