Aurora University vs. MIAD

Should I go to Aurora University or Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Aurora University or MIAD is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Aurora University vs. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design comparison
Aurora University Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design College 3 College 4
Aurora University
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Overview

Aurora University MIAD
Location Aurora, IL Milwaukee, WI
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 5,935 885
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #826
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website aurora.edu miad.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Aurora University MIAD
Tuition (In State) $28,000 $40,480
Tuition (Out of State) $28,000 $40,480
Room & Board $13,240 $10,430
Avg Net Price $19,220 $28,024
Avg Grant Aid $20,017 $24,605
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Aurora University MIAD
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,264 1,059
Admitted 4,482 665
Acceptance Rate 85.1% 62.8%
Enrolled % 18.5% 30.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.56 3.08
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/26 20/28
SAT Range 930/1133 940/1140
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 31, 2026

Academics

Aurora University MIAD
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Human Services (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (87%)
  • Communications Technology (7%)
  • Architecture (6%)

Outcomes

Aurora University MIAD
Graduation Rate 44% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,900 $36,000
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,337 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $230 $279

Diversity

Aurora University MIAD
% Men 6% 0%
% Women 25% 0%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 56% 68%
% Black 8% 8%
% Hispanic 25% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 5% 0%

Students

Aurora University MIAD
% In-State 86% 56%
% Out-of-State 13% 44%

Campus

Aurora University MIAD
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Aurora University is larger than than MIAD based on total student enrollment (5,935 students vs. 885 students)

Aurora University vs. MIAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Aurora University or MIAD?

  • Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is 44.6% more expensive to attend than Aurora University for in-state tuition ($40,480.00 vs. $28,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 44.6% higher at MIAD than Aurora University ($40,480.00 vs. $28,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Aurora University than MIAD ($19,220 vs. $28,024)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design are 26.9% lower than costs at Aurora University ($10,430 vs. $13,240)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Aurora University as Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students is 22.9% larger than aid received Aurora University ($24,605 vs. $20,017)

Aurora University vs. MIAD Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Aurora University or MIAD? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between MIAD or Aurora University .

  • Accepted freshman Aurora University students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at MIAD (3.08)
  • Aurora University has a higher acceptance rate (85.1%) than MIAD (62.8%)

Aurora University vs. MIAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Aurora University or MIAD? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between MIAD and Aurora University.

  • The graduation rate at MIAD is higher than Aurora University (57% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Aurora University earn on average $6,900 more per year than MIAD graduates after ten years. ($42,900 vs. $36,000)
  • Aurora University students graduate with a $4,663 lower median federal student loan debt than MIAD graduates. ($22,337 vs. $27,000)
  • Aurora University graduates are paying $49 less per month on federal student loans than MIAD graduates. ($230 vs. $279)
  • More Aurora University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MIAD students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/