Luther- Norse vs. MCAD

Comparable Facts

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

Luther College is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (1,384 students vs. 831 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); Minneapolis College of Art and Design is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• Luther 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: Luther College 9:1; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1.

Luther- Norse vs. MCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse 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 Luther College than MCAD ($24,511 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 13.7% lower than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($11,530 vs. $13,360).
• Luther College is 14.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCAD (about $6,636 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at Luther- Norse than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (about $6,636 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Luther College as at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 37.9% larger than aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students ($40,917 vs. $29,682).

Luther- Norse vs. MCAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Luther- Norse 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 Luther- Norse.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Luther College (1240) is the same as at MCAD (1240).
• Incoming Luther- Norse students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at MCAD (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; MCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Luther- Norse students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• Luther- Norse has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 38.9% at MCAD.

Luther- Norse vs. MCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Luther- Norse 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 Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from Luther College earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 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 Luther- Norse graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MCAD graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More Luther- Norse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCAD students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.