CSU vs. Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Chicago State University is larger than Massachusetts College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (2,238 students vs. 1,989 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Massachusetts College of Art and Design is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Massachusetts College of Art and Design 9:1.

CSU vs. Massachusetts College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Massachusetts College of Art and Design? 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 Chicago State University than Massachusetts College of Art and Design ($10,441 vs. $24,864).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 40.5% lower than at Massachusetts College of Art and Design ($11,550 vs. $19,412).
• Massachusetts College of Art and Design is 20.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $2,646 more per year; $15,400.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 240.3% higher at Massachusetts College of Art and Design than at Chicago State University (about $30,646 more per year; $43,400.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (99% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 74.6% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Art and Design students ($18,194 vs. $10,421).

CSU vs. Massachusetts College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or Massachusetts College of Art and Design? 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 Massachusetts College of Art and Design and CSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Massachusetts College of Art and Design - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Massachusetts College of Art and Design Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Massachusetts College of Art and Design students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at CSU (3.18).
• Massachusetts College of Art and Design has a higher acceptance rate (76.3%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 17.3% at Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

CSU vs. Massachusetts College of Art and Design Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and Massachusetts College of Art and Design? 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).

• Massachusetts College of Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts College of Art and Design earn a median of about $400 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,700 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts College of Art and Design graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($25,250 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, Massachusetts College of Art and Design graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($261 vs. $323).
• More Massachusetts College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 25%)

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.