Lake Forest College vs. MCAD

Comparable Facts

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

Lake Forest College is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (1,837 students vs. 831 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Forest College is located in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Minneapolis College of Art and Design is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• Lake Forest 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: Lake Forest College 13:1; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1.

Lake Forest College vs. MCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Forest 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 Minneapolis College of Art and Design than Lake Forest College ($30,305 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Forest College are 4.9% lower than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($12,700 vs. $13,360).
• Lake Forest College is 24% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCAD (about $10,918 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24% higher at Lake Forest College than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (about $10,918 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College as at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 33.5% larger than aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students ($39,630 vs. $29,682).

Lake Forest College vs. MCAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Forest College (1290) is 50 points higher than at MCAD (1240).
• Incoming Lake Forest College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at MCAD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 1190/1393; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Forest College 28/32; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Forest College - Test optional; MCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027; MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lake Forest College students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• Lake Forest College has a higher acceptance rate (56.8%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Lake Forest College vs. 38.9% at MCAD.

Lake Forest College vs. MCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Forest 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).

• Minneapolis College of Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Lake Forest College earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,800 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 Lake Forest College graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MCAD graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More Lake Forest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCAD students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.