MCAD vs. Ripon College

Comparable Facts

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

Minneapolis College of Art and Design is larger than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (831 students vs. 709 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

MCAD vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCAD or Ripon 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 Ripon College than MCAD ($23,772 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ripon College are 19.2% lower than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($10,800 vs. $13,360).
• Ripon College is 14.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCAD (about $6,416 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.1% higher at Ripon College than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (about $6,416 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design as at Ripon College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ripon College students is 33.8% larger than aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students ($39,716 vs. $29,682).

MCAD vs. Ripon College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCAD or Ripon 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 Ripon College and MCAD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1240) is 110 points higher than at Ripon College (1130).
• Incoming MCAD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Ripon College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340; Ripon College 980/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29; Ripon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCAD - Test optional; Ripon College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Ripon College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• Ripon College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.9% at MCAD vs. 10.9% at Ripon College.

MCAD vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCAD and Ripon 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).

• The graduation rate at MCAD is the same as at Ripon College (70% vs. 70%).
• Graduates from Ripon College earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minneapolis College of Art and Design graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Ripon College graduates ($25,750 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, MCAD graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ripon College graduates ($266 vs. $289).
• More Ripon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCAD students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.