Columbia College vs. MIAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, SC with Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than MIAD based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 838 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 11:1.

Columbia College vs. MIAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or MIAD? 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 Columbia College than MIAD ($18,790 vs. $27,579).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 14.3% lower than at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design ($9,390 vs. $10,955).
• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is 96.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $21,529 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.9% higher at MIAD than at Columbia College (about $21,529 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students is 58.1% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($26,015 vs. $16,451).

Columbia College vs. MIAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or MIAD? 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 MIAD and Columbia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (1040) is 40 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming MIAD students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 850/1140; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 940/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; MIAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MIAD Aug 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at MIAD (3.08).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than MIAD (60.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 33.2% at MIAD.

Columbia College vs. MIAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and MIAD? 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).

• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Columbia College's (50%).
• Graduates from Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,000 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $1,736 lower median loan debt than MIAD graduates ($25,264 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MIAD graduates ($261 vs. $279).
• More MIAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 43%)

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.