MCAD vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

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

St Olaf College is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (3,124 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); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

MCAD vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCAD or St Olaf? 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 St Olaf College than MCAD ($26,756 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design are 2% lower than at St Olaf College ($13,360 vs. $13,630).
• St Olaf College is 31.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCAD (about $14,276 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.4% higher at St Olaf than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (about $14,276 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design as at St Olaf College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 51.9% larger than aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students ($45,098 vs. $29,682).

MCAD vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 150 points higher than at MCAD (1240).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at MCAD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCAD - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MCAD Apr 1, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St Olaf students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• MCAD has a higher acceptance rate (48.5%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.9% at MCAD vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

MCAD vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCAD and St Olaf? 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).

• St Olaf College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Minneapolis College of Art and Design's (70%).
• Graduates from St Olaf College earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minneapolis College of Art and Design graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MCAD graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCAD students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.