MCAD vs. MSOE

Comparable Facts

Compare Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Minneapolis, MN with Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Milwaukee School of Engineering is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (2,953 students vs. 831 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is located in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting); Milwaukee School of Engineering is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1; Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1.

MCAD vs. MSOE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCAD or MSOE? 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 Milwaukee School of Engineering than MCAD ($25,669 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design are 4.5% lower than at Milwaukee School of Engineering ($13,360 vs. $13,984).
• Milwaukee School of Engineering is 11% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCAD (about $4,996 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11% higher at MSOE than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (about $4,996 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design as at Milwaukee School of Engineering (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students is 24.6% larger than aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students ($36,997 vs. $29,682).

MCAD vs. MSOE Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCAD or MSOE? 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 MSOE and MCAD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Milwaukee School of Engineering (1280) is 40 points higher than at MCAD (1240).
• Incoming MSOE students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at MCAD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340; Milwaukee School of Engineering 1160/1405.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29; Milwaukee School of Engineering 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCAD - Test optional; MSOE - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: MCAD Apr 1, 2027; MSOE Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman MSOE students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• MSOE has a higher acceptance rate (58.9%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.9% at MCAD vs. 17.2% at MSOE.

MCAD vs. MSOE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCAD and MSOE? 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 Milwaukee School of Engineering's (57%).
• Graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering earn a median of about $27,400 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,900 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 MSOE graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MCAD graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSOE graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More MSOE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCAD students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.