Loyola vs. MCAD

Comparable Facts

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

Loyola University Chicago is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (17,384 students vs. 831 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Loyola vs. MCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola 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 Loyola ($30,305 vs. $39,147).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design are 21.5% lower than at Loyola University Chicago ($13,360 vs. $17,010).
• Loyola University Chicago is 18.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCAD (about $8,226 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.1% higher at Loyola than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (about $8,226 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design than at Loyola University Chicago (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students is 3% larger than aid received by Loyola University Chicago students ($29,682 vs. $28,816).

Loyola vs. MCAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loyola 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 Loyola.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Loyola University Chicago (1270) is 30 points higher than at MCAD (1240).
• Incoming Loyola students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at MCAD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola University Chicago 1170/1360; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola University Chicago 27/32; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loyola - Test optional; MCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Loyola students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• Loyola has a higher acceptance rate (81.6%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Loyola vs. 38.9% at MCAD.

Loyola vs. MCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loyola 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 Loyola is the same as at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (70% vs. 70%).
• Graduates from Loyola University Chicago earn a median of about $18,300 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Loyola University Chicago graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than MCAD graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Loyola graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCAD graduates ($258 vs. $266).
• More Loyola graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCAD students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.