MCAD vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (51,044 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 Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

MCAD vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCAD or Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin Madison than MCAD ($14,235 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design are 5.4% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($13,360 vs. $14,124).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is 292% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $33,881 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8% higher at MCAD than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $3,381 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $42,103.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design than at University of Wisconsin Madison (100% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students is 67.3% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($29,682 vs. $17,741).

MCAD vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 210 points higher than at MCAD (1240).
• Incoming Wisconsin students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 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 Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCAD - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MCAD Apr 1, 2027; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• MCAD has a higher acceptance rate (48.5%) than Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.9% at MCAD vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

MCAD vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCAD and Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin Madison's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Minneapolis College of Art and Design's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $23,300 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than MCAD graduates ($22,250 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCAD graduates ($230 vs. $266).
• More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCAD students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.