Drake vs. MCAD

Deciding between Drake University and Minneapolis College of Art and Design? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Drake University
Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Drake Des Moines, IA
  • MCAD Minneapolis, MN
  • Setting
  • Drake Midsize City
  • MCAD Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Drake 4,345
  • MCAD 831
  • Type
  • Drake Private 4 Year
  • MCAD Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Drake #160
  • MCAD
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Drake -
  • MCAD -
  • Status
  • Drake Non-profit
  • MCAD Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Drake
  • MCAD

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Drake $52,130
  • MCAD $45,484
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Drake $52,130
  • MCAD $45,484
  • Room & Board
  • Drake $12,452
  • MCAD $13,360
  • Average Net Price
  • Drake $29,565
  • MCAD $30,305
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Drake $35,498
  • MCAD $29,682
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Drake 100%
  • MCAD 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Drake 9,873
  • MCAD 854
  • Admitted
  • Drake 6,304
  • MCAD 414
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Drake 63.9%
  • MCAD 48.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Drake 9.8%
  • MCAD 38.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Drake 1230
  • MCAD 1240
  • Typical ACT score
  • Drake 26
  • MCAD 25
  • Average High School GPA
  • Drake 3.7
  • MCAD 3.29
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Drake A-
  • MCAD B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Drake Difficult
  • MCAD Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Drake Low
  • MCAD Low
  • ACT Range
  • Drake 24/29
  • MCAD 21/29
  • SAT Range
  • Drake 1110/1350
  • MCAD 1130/1340
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Drake Test optional
  • MCAD Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Drake
  • MCAD Apr 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Drake 11:1
  • MCAD 12:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Drake
    • Business (39%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • MCAD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Communications Technology (9%)
    • Precision Production Trades (3%)
    • Communication (3%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Drake 75%
  • MCAD 70%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Drake $68,500
  • MCAD $41,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Drake 84%
  • MCAD 74%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Drake $26,000
  • MCAD $25,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Drake $268
  • MCAD $266

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Drake 38%
  • MCAD 29%
  • % Women
  • Drake 62%
  • MCAD 71%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Drake Low
  • MCAD Medium
  • HBCU
  • Drake No
  • MCAD No
  • % White
  • Drake 79%
  • MCAD 59%
  • % Asian
  • Drake 3%
  • MCAD 7%
  • % Black
  • Drake 4%
  • MCAD 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Drake 4%
  • MCAD 6%
  • % Native American
  • Drake 0%
  • MCAD 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Drake 0%
  • MCAD 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Drake 2%
  • MCAD 3%
  • % International
  • Drake 7%
  • MCAD 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Drake 0%
  • MCAD 16%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Drake 44%
  • MCAD 55%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Drake 51%
  • MCAD 45%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Drake Yes
  • MCAD Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Drake No
  • MCAD No
  • Meal Plan
  • Drake Yes
  • MCAD No
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Drake No
  • MCAD No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Drake No
  • MCAD No

Comparable Facts

Compare Drake University in Des Moines, IA with Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Minneapolis, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Drake University is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (4,345 students vs. 831 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); Minneapolis College of Art and Design is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
  • Drake University 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: Drake University 11:1; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1.

Drake vs. MCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake 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 Drake University than MCAD ($29,565 vs. $30,305).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 6.8% lower than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($12,452 vs. $13,360).
  • Drake University is 14.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCAD (about $6,646 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $45,484.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at Drake than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (about $6,646 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $45,484.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Drake University as at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 19.6% larger than aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students ($35,498 vs. $29,682).

Drake vs. MCAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drake 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 Drake.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1240) is 10 points higher than at Drake (1230).
  • Incoming Drake 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: Drake University 1110/1350; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 24/29; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drake - Test optional; MCAD - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Drake students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at MCAD (3.29).
  • Drake has a higher acceptance rate (63.9%) than MCAD (48.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 38.9% at MCAD.

Drake vs. MCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake 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).

  • Drake University's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Minneapolis College of Art and Design's (70%).
  • Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $27,000 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Minneapolis College of Art and Design graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($25,750 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, MCAD graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($266 vs. $268).
  • More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCAD students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.