Cost of Attendance at MCLA, 2026-27
We know a liberal arts education is a major investment. That's why we publish every number that goes into it, so you can see exactly what you would pay and what you should budget for.
For 2026-27, tuition and mandatory fees are $13,174 for Massachusetts residents, $13,689 for students who qualify for the New England/New York regional rate, and $22,119 for other out-of-state students. The approved cost of attendance is $34,269 for a Massachusetts resident living on campus, $16,674 for a Massachusetts resident commuting from home, and $43,214 for an out-of-state student living on campus.
What goes into the cost of attendance?
Cost of attendance is a financial aid budget, not the same thing as your MCLA bill. It includes charges billed by MCLA as well as estimated expenses that may not appear on your bill.
| 2026-27 Figures | Massachusetts | New England & New York | Out-of-state & International |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $13,068 | $13,583 | $22,013 |
| Cost of Attendance, Living on Campus | $34,269 | NA | $43,214 |
| Cost of Attendance, Commuting from Home | $26,709 | NA | NA |
| Sample Direct Bill, Living on Campus | $31,060 | NA | NA |
| Student Health Insurance Fee | $4,962 | $4,962 | $4,962 |
On smaller screens, swipe horizontally within the table to view all columns.
Direct Costs
Tuition, mandatory fees, housing and meals. These appear on your bill from MCLA.
Indirect Costs
Tuition, mandatory fees, housing and meals. These appear on your bill from MCLA.
What will actually appear on my bill?
If you are a Massachusetts resident living on campus, the 2026-27 sample direct bill is $31,060. A sample bill that includes the $4,962 student health insurance fee is $36,022. Students should review the current health-insurance requirements and waiver information before estimating their individual bill.
For a Massachusetts resident living on campus, the cost of attendance is $34,151. Cost of attendance is the broader budget used for financial aid purposes and should not be presented as the amount MCLA bills directly.
What if I live in Massachusetts?
For 2026-27, Massachusetts residents pay $13,068 in tuition and mandatory fees. The cost of attendance is $34,151 for a Massachusetts resident living on campus and $26,709 for a Massachusetts resident commuting from home. The commuter cost-of-attendance budget includes estimated non-billed living expenses, so it should not be calculated by simply adding the on-campus indirect-cost difference to tuition and fees.
What if I live somewhere else in New England or New York?
Students who qualify for MCLA’s New England/New York regional rate pay $13,583 in tuition and mandatory fees for 2026-27, compared with $22,013 for other out-of-state students
What about health insurance and program fees?
The student health insurance fee for 2026-27 is $4,962. Students should review the current insurance requirements and waiver information to understand whether the charge applies to them. The nursing program fee is $3,533.
Can I get financial aid?
To be considered for financial aid, start by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and list MCLA using federal school code 002187. Admission applicants are automatically considered for MCLA institutional merit scholarships; no separate merit-scholarship application is required.
FAQs
A: For the 2026-27 academic year, a Massachusetts resident living on campus at MCLA
has a total cost of attendance of $34,151. Tuition and fees alone are $13,068, and
the billed portion (tuition, fees, room and board) is $31,060. The remaining amount
covers estimated indirect costs such as books, transportation and personal expenses.
Massachusetts residents who commute from home have an estimated cost of attendance
of $26,709. Out-of-state students living on campus have a cost of attendance of $43,096
A: Students who are residents of states that qualify for the NE/NY regional rate qualify
for NE/NY regional rates at MCLA. For 2026-27, regional students pay $13,583 in tuition
and fees rather than the $22,013 out-of-state rate. Eligibility criteria should be
confirmed with the Office of Student Financial Services.
A: MCLA's cost of attendance includes both billed charges and estimated non-billed expenses.
For a Massachusetts resident living on campus in 2026-27, the sample direct bill is
$31,060 and the cost of attendance is $34,151. The $3,091 difference applies to that
on-campus example only. Massachusetts residents commuting from home have a separately
cost of attendance of $26,709, which includes estimated living expenses beyond tuition
and fees.
