MCAD vs. Rust College

Comparable Facts

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

Minneapolis College of Art and Design is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (831 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is located in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting); Rust College is in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1; Rust College 10:1.

MCAD vs. Rust College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCAD or Rust 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 Rust College than MCAD ($12,037 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 53.5% lower than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($6,217 vs. $13,360).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is 242.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rust College (about $32,219 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 242.9% higher at MCAD than at Rust College (about $32,219 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design than at Rust College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students is 170% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($29,682 vs. $10,993).

MCAD vs. Rust College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1240) is 350 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming MCAD students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 17 at Rust College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340; Rust College 440/1339.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29; Rust College 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCAD - Test optional; Rust College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MCAD students have a 0.63 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• Rust College has a higher acceptance rate (48.7%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.9% at MCAD vs. 6.4% at Rust College.

MCAD vs. Rust College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCAD and Rust 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).

• Minneapolis College of Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from Minneapolis College of Art and Design earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minneapolis College of Art and Design graduates have a $2,087 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, MCAD graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($266 vs. $287).
• More MCAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 21%)

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.