Augustana vs. MCAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Minneapolis, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Augustana College is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (2,570 students vs. 831 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Augustana College is located in Rock Island, IL (Small City setting); Minneapolis College of Art and Design is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• Augustana College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Augustana College 12:1; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1.

Augustana vs. MCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Augustana or MCAD? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Augustana College than MCAD ($24,714 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Augustana College are 6.4% lower than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($12,502 vs. $13,360).
• Augustana College is 13.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCAD (about $6,114 more per year; $51,598.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.4% higher at Augustana than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (about $6,114 more per year; $51,598.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Augustana College as at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Augustana College students is 32.2% larger than aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students ($39,242 vs. $29,682).

Augustana vs. MCAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Augustana or MCAD? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MCAD and Augustana.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1240) is 90 points higher than at Augustana (1150).
• Incoming Augustana students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at MCAD (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 1030/1270; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 21/29; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Augustana - Test optional; MCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Augustana Aug 1, 2027; MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Augustana students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• Augustana has a higher acceptance rate (62.7%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Augustana vs. 38.9% at MCAD.

Augustana vs. MCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Augustana and MCAD? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Augustana College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Minneapolis College of Art and Design's (70%).
• Graduates from Augustana College earn a median of about $13,600 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,100 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minneapolis College of Art and Design graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Augustana graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MCAD graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Augustana graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More Augustana graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCAD students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.