ISU vs. MCAD

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 831 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Minneapolis College of Art and Design is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1.

ISU vs. MCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU 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 Iowa State University than MCAD ($17,779 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 19.1% lower than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($10,808 vs. $13,360).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is 321.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $34,697 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.5% higher at MCAD than at Iowa State University (about $16,603 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students is 175.1% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($29,682 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. MCAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU 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 ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is the same as at MCAD (1240).
• Incoming MCAD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; MCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 38.9% at MCAD.

ISU vs. MCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU 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).

• Minneapolis College of Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Iowa State University's (68%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $1,882 lower median loan debt than MCAD graduates ($23,868 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCAD graduates ($246 vs. $266).
• More ISU 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.