MCA vs. Middle Tennessee State University

Should I go to Memphis College of Art or Middle Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MCA or Middle Tennessee State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Memphis College of Art vs. Middle Tennessee State University comparison
Memphis College of Art Middle Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
Middle Tennessee State University
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Overview

MCA Middle Tennessee State University
Location Memphis, TN Murfreesboro, TN
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 116 20,086
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #656
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mca.edu mtsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MCA Middle Tennessee State University
Tuition (In State) $32,400 $7,344
Tuition (Out of State) $32,400 $26,376
Room & Board $8,890 $9,576
Avg Net Price - $13,062
Avg Grant Aid $0 $9,421
% Receiving Grant Aid 0% 100%

Admission

MCA Middle Tennessee State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 12,868
Admitted - 9,335
Acceptance Rate 72.5%
Enrolled % 30%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.64
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26
SAT Range 1020/1230
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

MCA Middle Tennessee State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 6:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

MCA Middle Tennessee State University
Graduation Rate 32% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $29,900 $42,300
Making Student Loan Payments 33% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $33,000 $21,758
Median Loan Payment $341 $224

Diversity

MCA Middle Tennessee State University
% Men 34% 45%
% Women 66% 55%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 57% 64%
% Black 29% 22%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

MCA Middle Tennessee State University
% In-State - 89%
% Out-of-State - 11%

Campus

MCA Middle Tennessee State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Middle Tennessee State University is larger than than MCA based on total student enrollment (20,086 students vs. 116 students)

MCA vs. Middle Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCA or Middle Tennessee State University?

  • Memphis College of Art is 341.2% more expensive to attend than Middle Tennessee State University for in-state tuition ($32,400.00 vs. $7,344.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22.8% higher at MCA than Middle Tennessee State University ($32,400.00 vs. $26,376.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Memphis College of Art are 7.7% lower than costs at Middle Tennessee State University ($8,890 vs. $9,576)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Middle Tennessee State University than Memphis College of Art (100% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Middle Tennessee State University students is ?% larger than aid received Memphis College of Art ($9,421 vs. $0)

Which college is harder to get into, MCA or Middle Tennessee State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Middle Tennessee State University or MCA .

  • Accepted freshman Middle Tennessee State University students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at MCA (3.33)

MCA vs. Middle Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MCA or Middle Tennessee State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Middle Tennessee State University and MCA.

  • The graduation rate at Middle Tennessee State University is higher than Memphis College of Art (45% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Middle Tennessee State University earn on average $12,400 more per year than MCA graduates after ten years. ($42,300 vs. $29,900)
  • Middle Tennessee State University students graduate with a $11,242 lower median federal student loan debt than MCA graduates. ($21,758 vs. $33,000)
  • Middle Tennessee State University graduates are paying $117 less per month on federal student loans than MCA graduates. ($224 vs. $341)
  • More Middle Tennessee State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCA students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 33%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/