Macalester College vs. MCAD

Comparable Facts

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

Macalester College is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 831 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Minneapolis College of Art and Design is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• Macalester 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: Macalester College 10:1; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1.

Macalester College vs. MCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macalester 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 Macalester College ($30,305 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design are 15.2% lower than at Macalester College ($13,360 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 49.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCAD (about $22,620 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.7% higher at Macalester College than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (about $22,620 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design than at Macalester College (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 44.1% larger than aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students ($42,766 vs. $29,682).

Macalester College vs. MCAD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 190 points higher than at MCAD (1240).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 25 at MCAD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 1350/1510; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Macalester College 30/34; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macalester College - Test optional; MCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027; MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• MCAD has a higher acceptance rate (48.5%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Macalester College vs. 38.9% at MCAD.

Macalester College vs. MCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macalester 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).

• Macalester College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Minneapolis College of Art and Design's (70%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $3,080 lower median loan debt than MCAD graduates ($22,670 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCAD graduates ($234 vs. $266).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCAD students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.