Gordon College vs. MCAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Gordon College in Wenham, MA with Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Minneapolis, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gordon College is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (1,595 students vs. 831 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gordon College is located in Wenham, MA (Large Suburban setting); Minneapolis College of Art and Design is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• Gordon 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: Gordon College 10:1; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1.

Gordon College vs. MCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon 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 Gordon College than MCAD ($25,299 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon College are 0.4% lower than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($13,300 vs. $13,360).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is 48.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon College (about $14,784 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $30,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.2% higher at MCAD than at Gordon College (about $14,784 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $30,700.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Gordon College as at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students is 76.7% larger than aid received by Gordon College students ($29,682 vs. $16,802).

Gordon College vs. MCAD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gordon College (1240) is the same as at MCAD (1240).
• Incoming Gordon College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at MCAD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon College 1130/1355; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon College 25/31; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon College - Test optional; MCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gordon College Feb 1, 2027; MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gordon College students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• Gordon College has a higher acceptance rate (69.2%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Gordon College vs. 38.9% at MCAD.

Gordon College vs. MCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon 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).

• Gordon College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Minneapolis College of Art and Design's (70%).
• Graduates from Gordon College earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 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 Gordon College graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MCAD graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gordon College graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More Gordon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCAD students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.