Marian University vs. MIAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Marian University in Fond Du Lac, WI with Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Marian University is larger than MIAD based on total student enrollment (1,246 students vs. 838 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Marian University is located in Fond Du Lac, WI (Small City setting); Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Marian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Marian University 11:1; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 11:1.

Marian University vs. MIAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Marian University or MIAD? 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 Marian University than MIAD ($22,697 vs. $27,579).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Marian University are 10.1% lower than at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design ($9,849 vs. $10,955).
• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is 24.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Marian University (about $8,565 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $35,178.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.3% higher at MIAD than at Marian University (about $8,565 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $35,178.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Marian University as at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students is 19.3% larger than aid received by Marian University students ($26,015 vs. $21,805).

Marian University vs. MIAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Marian University or MIAD? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MIAD and Marian University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (1040) is 100 points higher than at Marian University (940).
• Incoming MIAD students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 20 at Marian University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Marian University 800/1080; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 940/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Marian University 18/23; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Marian University - Test optional; MIAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MIAD Aug 31, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Marian University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.16) than students at MIAD (3.08).
• Marian University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than MIAD (60.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at Marian University vs. 33.2% at MIAD.

Marian University vs. MIAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Marian University and MIAD? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Marian University's (52%).
• Graduates from Marian University earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than MIAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,500 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design and Marian University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design and Marian University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Marian University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MIAD students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

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.