MCAD vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth

Comparable Facts

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

University of Minnesota Duluth is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (9,253 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); University of Minnesota Duluth is in Duluth, MN (Small City setting).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Duluth is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1; University of Minnesota Duluth 16:1.

MCAD vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCAD or University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 University of Minnesota Duluth than MCAD ($20,128 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Duluth are 16.8% lower than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($11,110 vs. $13,360).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is 211.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Minnesota-Duluth (about $30,874 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $14,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 126% higher at MCAD than at University of Minnesota Duluth (about $25,354 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design than at University of Minnesota Duluth (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students is 313.1% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Duluth students ($29,682 vs. $7,186).

MCAD vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCAD or University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth and MCAD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Duluth (1270) is 30 points higher than at MCAD (1240).
• Incoming MCAD students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at University of Minnesota-Duluth (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340; University of Minnesota Duluth 1180/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29; University of Minnesota Duluth 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCAD - Test optional; University of Minnesota-Duluth - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MCAD Apr 1, 2027; University of Minnesota-Duluth Aug 1, 2027.
• 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 (88.8%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.9% at MCAD vs. 22.5% at University of Minnesota-Duluth.

MCAD vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCAD and University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 University of Minnesota Duluth's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Duluth graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than MCAD graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.