MCAD vs. MSU Moorhead

Comparable Facts

Compare Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Minneapolis, MN with Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Minnesota State University Moorhead is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (4,386 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); Minnesota State University Moorhead is in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1; Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1.

MCAD vs. MSU Moorhead Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCAD or MSU Moorhead? 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 Minnesota State University Moorhead than MCAD ($18,221 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State University Moorhead are 17.7% lower than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($10,994 vs. $13,360).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is 336.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU Moorhead (about $35,056 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 336.2% higher at MCAD than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $35,056 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students is 360.5% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students ($29,682 vs. $6,446).

MCAD vs. MSU Moorhead Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1240) is 50 points higher than at MSU Moorhead (1190).
• Incoming MCAD students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at MSU Moorhead).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340; Minnesota State University Moorhead 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29; Minnesota State University Moorhead 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCAD - Test optional; MSU Moorhead - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MSU Moorhead students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• MSU Moorhead has a higher acceptance rate (58.8%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.9% at MCAD vs. 27.3% at MSU Moorhead.

MCAD vs. MSU Moorhead Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCAD and MSU Moorhead? 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 Minnesota State University Moorhead's (45%).
• Graduates from Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of about $900 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,400 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates have a $3,474 lower median loan debt than MCAD graduates ($22,276 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, MSU Moorhead graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCAD graduates ($230 vs. $266).
• More MCAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Moorhead students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 65%)

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.