MCAD vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul

Comparable Facts

Compare Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Minneapolis, MN with University of Northwestern St Paul in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Northwestern St Paul is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (3,234 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); University of Northwestern St Paul is in Saint Paul, MN (Large Suburban setting).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northwestern St Paul is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1; University of Northwestern St Paul 16:1.

MCAD vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCAD or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern St Paul than MCAD ($29,117 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northwestern St Paul are 13.7% lower than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($11,534 vs. $13,360).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is 19.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Northwestern-St Paul (about $7,564 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $37,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.9% higher at MCAD than at University of Northwestern St Paul (about $7,564 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $37,920.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design as at University of Northwestern St Paul (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students is 34.1% larger than aid received by University of Northwestern St Paul students ($29,682 vs. $22,132).

MCAD vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCAD or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul and MCAD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1240) is 170 points higher than at University of Northwestern-St Paul (1070).
• Incoming MCAD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at University of Northwestern-St Paul).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340; University of Northwestern St Paul 868/1271.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29; University of Northwestern St Paul 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCAD - Test optional; University of Northwestern-St Paul - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MCAD Apr 1, 2027; University of Northwestern-St Paul Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Northwestern-St Paul students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• University of Northwestern-St Paul has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.9% at MCAD vs. 30.9% at University of Northwestern-St Paul.

MCAD vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCAD and University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern St Paul's (64%).
• Graduates from Minneapolis College of Art and Design earn a median of about $400 more per year than University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $41,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northwestern St Paul graduates have a $3,680 lower median loan debt than MCAD graduates ($22,070 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCAD graduates ($228 vs. $266).
• More University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCAD students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.