September 23, 2025
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) has maintained its position as the No.
6 Top Public Liberal Arts School in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report's 2026 rankings, marking an impressive 11 consecutive years in the top ten.
"Eleven years of top-ten recognition is a testament to our faculty, staff, and the
entire MCLA community's dedication to student success," said President James F. Birge, Ph.D. "This consistency in rankings reflects our core mission: providing an affordable,
transformative liberal arts education that empowers students from all backgrounds
to achieve their goals and make meaningful contributions to society."
More than 41% of MCLA undergraduate students receive Pell Grants, and 49% are the
first in their families to attend college. Overall, 95% of MCLA students receive some
form of financial aid.
"MCLA's sustained excellence in the rankings reflects its unwavering commitment to
providing accessible, high-quality education," said Buffy D. Lord, Esq., chair of
the MCLA Board of Trustees. "While some institutions may steeply discount their programs
to attract students, MCLA uses an affordability model rather than a financial leveraging
approach. The result is that MCLA graduates have the lowest student loan debt of any
four-year public institution in Massachusetts, and 22% of graduates have no student
loan debt at all."
The College's focus on individual attention and experiential learning continues to
set it apart. Classes are taught by dedicated educators who prioritize teaching excellence
and student development, creating an environment where every student can thrive academically
and personally.
"At MCLA, we strike a balance between our strong identity rooted in practical education
and our forward-looking approach," Birge continued. "We understand the demanding expectations
of today's students, and we are committed to meeting their needs. This is why we have
introduced new programs, such as Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Global Studies, Environmental Studies, and Music, Industry, and Production."
Another one of the ways MCLA supports student success beyond the classroom is through
its Essential Needs Center (ENC), which addresses the hardships outside of academics that can become obstacles
to student achievement and overall wellbeing. This welcoming space offers food, essential
items, housing and transportation assistance, seasonal clothes, SNAP applications,
and much more. Importantly, the ENC is run by students who best understand these out-of-class
challenges and are ready to help and support their peers.
"Our additional student support staff enables us to quickly and efficiently customize
academic success plans, allowing students to focus on their classes without being
sidelined by other stressors," Birge added. "At MCLA, students don't just have a plan
for their continued growth and success; they have the name of an MCLA mentor who is
there from start to finish."
This comprehensive approach to student support, combined with MCLA's commitment to
affordability and academic excellence, has created a distinctive model in higher education.
The College's ability to maintain both high rankings and accessibility demonstrates
that quality education doesn't have to come at an unaffordable price.
"These rankings provide further validation that MCLA remains true to its 130-year
commitment to public education and effectively prepares students for success in an
increasingly complex world," Lord concluded.
“The liberal arts model is just as valuable now as it ever was, and we’re pleased
to see our continued strengths highlighted in this way.”
U.S. News ranks colleges based on indicators including financial strength, faculty
expertise, and educational outcomes.
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
11 consecutive years, earning the No. 6 spot on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts
Schools in the nation for 2026. The College's focus on affordable education and economic
prosperity is reflected in additional 2026 U.S. News rankings: No. 6 for Top Performer
on Social Mobility for liberal arts colleges in the state and No. 4 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.
