MIAD vs. Northland College

Comparable Facts

Compare Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in Milwaukee, WI with Northland College in Ashland, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is larger than Northland College based on total student enrollment (838 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is located in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting); Northland College is in Ashland, WI (Remote Town setting).
• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northland College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 11:1; Northland College 5:1.

MIAD vs. Northland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIAD or Northland College? 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 Northland College than MIAD ($23,253 vs. $27,579).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design are 5.6% lower than at Northland College ($10,955 vs. $11,600).
• Northland College is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIAD (about $660 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $43,743.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Northland College than at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (about $660 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $43,743.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design as at Northland College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northland College students is 29% larger than aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students ($33,572 vs. $26,015).

MIAD vs. Northland College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MIAD or Northland College? 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 Northland College and MIAD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northland College (1050) is 10 points higher than at MIAD (1040).
• Incoming MIAD students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Northland College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 940/1140; Northland College 950/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 20/28; Northland College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIAD - Test optional; Northland College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MIAD Aug 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northland College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at MIAD (3.08).
• Northland College has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than MIAD (60.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.2% at MIAD vs. 9.6% at Northland College.

MIAD vs. Northland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIAD and Northland College? 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).

• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Northland College's (48%).
• Graduates from Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Northland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,000 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northland College graduates have a $57 lower median loan debt than MIAD graduates ($26,943 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northland College graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MIAD graduates ($278 vs. $279).
• More Northland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MIAD students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.