Cornell College vs. MCAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA with Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Minneapolis, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell College is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (1,094 students vs. 831 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Minneapolis College of Art and Design is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• Cornell 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: Cornell College 14:1; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1.

Cornell College vs. MCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College 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 Cornell College than MCAD ($25,220 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 11.3% lower than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($11,850 vs. $13,360).
• Cornell College is 15.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCAD (about $7,176 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.8% higher at Cornell College than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (about $7,176 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 38.4% larger than aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students ($41,092 vs. $29,682).

Cornell College vs. MCAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell College 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 Cornell College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1240) is 40 points higher than at Cornell College (1200).
• Incoming Cornell College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at MCAD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; MCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell College students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 38.9% at MCAD.

Cornell College vs. MCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College 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).

• The graduation rate at Cornell College is the same as at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (70% vs. 70%).
• Graduates from Cornell College earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,400 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 Cornell College graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MCAD graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More Cornell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCAD students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.