MCAD vs. University of St Thomas

Comparable Facts

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

University of St Thomas is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (9,410 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 St Thomas is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Thomas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1; University of St Thomas 14:1.

MCAD vs. University of St Thomas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCAD or University of St Thomas? 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 Minneapolis College of Art and Design than University of St Thomas ($30,305 vs. $31,250).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design are 10.7% lower than at University of St Thomas ($13,360 vs. $14,969).
• University of St Thomas is 19.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCAD (about $8,914 more per year; $54,398.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.6% higher at University of St Thomas than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (about $8,914 more per year; $54,398.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design than at University of St Thomas (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Thomas students is 19.9% larger than aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students ($35,587 vs. $29,682).

MCAD vs. University of St Thomas Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCAD or University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas and MCAD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of St Thomas (1340) is 100 points higher than at MCAD (1240).
• Incoming University of St Thomas students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at MCAD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340; University of St Thomas 1260/1423.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29; University of St Thomas 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCAD - Test optional; University of St Thomas - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MCAD Apr 1, 2027; University of St Thomas Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of St Thomas students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• University of St Thomas has a higher acceptance rate (85.4%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.9% at MCAD vs. 20.8% at University of St Thomas.

MCAD vs. University of St Thomas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCAD and University of St Thomas? 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).

• University of St Thomas's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Minneapolis College of Art and Design's (70%).
• Graduates from University of St Thomas earn a median of about $20,500 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minneapolis College of Art and Design graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than University of St Thomas graduates ($25,750 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, MCAD graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of St Thomas graduates ($266 vs. $268).
• More University of St Thomas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCAD students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.