MCAD vs. NSA

Comparable Facts

Compare Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Minneapolis, MN with New Saint Andrews College in Moscow, Idaho on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Minneapolis College of Art and Design is larger than NSA based on total student enrollment (831 students vs. 413 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is located in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting); New Saint Andrews College is in Moscow, Idaho (Distant Town setting).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. New Saint Andrews College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1; New Saint Andrews College 19:1.

MCAD vs. NSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCAD or NSA? 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 New Saint Andrews College than MCAD ($16,692 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Saint Andrews College are 70.1% lower than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($4,000 vs. $13,360).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is 170.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSA (about $28,684 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $16,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 170.7% higher at MCAD than at New Saint Andrews College (about $28,684 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $16,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design than at New Saint Andrews College (100% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students is 631.4% larger than aid received by New Saint Andrews College students ($29,682 vs. $4,058).

MCAD vs. NSA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at New Saint Andrews College (1260) is 20 points higher than at MCAD (1240).
• Incoming NSA students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (26 vs. 25 at MCAD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340; New Saint Andrews College 1155/1358.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29; New Saint Andrews College 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCAD - Test optional; NSA - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: MCAD Apr 1, 2027; NSA Feb 15, 2027.
• NSA has a higher acceptance rate (83.9%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.9% at MCAD vs. 65.6% at NSA.

MCAD vs. NSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCAD and NSA? 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.

• Minneapolis College of Art and Design's six-year graduation rate is 70%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for NSA.
• Graduates from Minneapolis College of Art and Design have median earnings of about $41,500 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for NSA.

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.