MCAD vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth

Should I go to Minneapolis College of Art and Design or University of Minnesota Duluth? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MCAD or University of Minnesota-Duluth is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Minneapolis College of Art and Design vs. University of Minnesota Duluth comparison
Minneapolis College of Art and Design University of Minnesota Duluth College 3 College 4
Minneapolis College of Art and Design University of Minnesota Duluth
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Overview

MCAD University of Minnesota-Duluth
Location Minneapolis, MN Duluth, MN
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 824 9,350
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #544
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcad.edu umn.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MCAD University of Minnesota-Duluth
Tuition (In State) $43,374 $12,766
Tuition (Out of State) $43,374 $18,210
Room & Board $10,910 $10,206
Avg Net Price $27,031 $19,542
Avg Grant Aid $27,729 $6,833
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 90%

Admission

MCAD University of Minnesota-Duluth
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 885 9,502
Admitted 428 7,768
Acceptance Rate 48.4% 81.8%
Enrolled % 39.5% 23.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.29 3.51
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/24 23/28
SAT Range 1110/1430 1128/1335
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

MCAD University of Minnesota-Duluth
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Communications Technology (9%)
  • Precision Production Trades (3%)
  • Communication (3%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

MCAD University of Minnesota-Duluth
Graduation Rate 70% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,500 $53,500
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,750 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $266 $258

Diversity

MCAD University of Minnesota-Duluth
% Men 4% 4%
% Women 10% 5%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 86%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 16% 1%

Students

MCAD University of Minnesota-Duluth
% In-State 65% 85%
% Out-of-State 33% 14%

Campus

MCAD University of Minnesota-Duluth
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Minnesota Duluth is larger than than MCAD based on total student enrollment (9,350 students vs. 824 students)

MCAD vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCAD or University of Minnesota-Duluth?

  • Minneapolis College of Art and Design is 239.8% more expensive to attend than University of Minnesota-Duluth for in-state tuition ($43,374.00 vs. $12,766.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 138.2% higher at MCAD than University of Minnesota Duluth ($43,374.00 vs. $18,210.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Minnesota Duluth than MCAD ($19,542 vs. $27,031)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Duluth are 6.9% lower than costs at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($10,206 vs. $10,910)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design than University of Minnesota Duluth (100% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students is 305.8% larger than aid received University of Minnesota Duluth ($27,729 vs. $6,833)

MCAD vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCAD or University of Minnesota-Duluth? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Minnesota-Duluth or MCAD .

  • The average SAT score at University of Minnesota Duluth (1109) is 13 points higher than at MCAD (1096)
  • Incoming MCAD students have at the same average ACT score (24) as students at University of Minnesota-Duluth (24)
  • Accepted freshman University of Minnesota-Duluth students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at MCAD (3.29)
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than MCAD (48.4%)

MCAD vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MCAD or University of Minnesota-Duluth? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University of Minnesota-Duluth and MCAD.

  • The graduation rate at MCAD is higher than University of Minnesota Duluth (70% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from University of Minnesota Duluth earn on average $12,000 more per year than MCAD graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $41,500)
  • University of Minnesota Duluth students graduate with a $750 lower median federal student loan debt than MCAD graduates. ($25,000 vs. $25,750)
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than MCAD graduates. ($258 vs. $266)
  • More University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCAD students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/