MCAD vs. The College of Saint Scholastica

Comparable Facts

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

The College of Saint Scholastica is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (2,930 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); The College of Saint Scholastica is in Duluth, MN (Small City setting).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The College of Saint Scholastica is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1; The College of Saint Scholastica 12:1.

MCAD vs. The College of Saint Scholastica Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCAD or The College of Saint Scholastica? 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 The College of Saint Scholastica than MCAD ($26,083 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of Saint Scholastica are 11.5% lower than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($11,830 vs. $13,360).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is 8.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than The College of Saint Scholastica (about $3,706 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $41,778.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.9% higher at MCAD than at The College of Saint Scholastica (about $3,706 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $41,778.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design than at The College of Saint Scholastica (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students is 3.9% larger than aid received by The College of Saint Scholastica students ($29,682 vs. $28,555).

MCAD vs. The College of Saint Scholastica Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCAD or The College of Saint Scholastica? 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 The College of Saint Scholastica and MCAD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1240) is 30 points higher than at The College of Saint Scholastica (1210).
• Incoming MCAD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at The College of Saint Scholastica).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340; The College of Saint Scholastica 1110/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29; The College of Saint Scholastica 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCAD - Test optional; The College of Saint Scholastica - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman The College of Saint Scholastica students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• The College of Saint Scholastica has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.9% at MCAD vs. 16.9% at The College of Saint Scholastica.

MCAD vs. The College of Saint Scholastica Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCAD and The College of Saint Scholastica? 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 The College of Saint Scholastica's (63%).
• Graduates from The College of Saint Scholastica earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,800 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of Saint Scholastica graduates have a $4,596 lower median loan debt than MCAD graduates ($21,154 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, The College of Saint Scholastica graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCAD graduates ($218 vs. $266).
• More MCAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The College of Saint Scholastica students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 71%)

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.