MCAD vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Dakota is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (10,619 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 South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

MCAD vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCAD or USD? 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 South Dakota than MCAD ($19,133 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 22.5% lower than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($10,356 vs. $13,360).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is 382.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $36,052 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 251.4% higher at MCAD than at University of South Dakota (about $32,542 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design than at University of South Dakota (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students is 427.9% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($29,682 vs. $5,623).

MCAD vs. USD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1240) is 20 points higher than at USD (1220).
• Incoming MCAD students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCAD - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.9% at MCAD vs. 24.1% at USD.

MCAD vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCAD and USD? 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 South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Dakota graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than MCAD graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCAD graduates ($258 vs. $266).
• More MCAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 70%)

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.