North Central College vs. MCAD

Comparable Facts

Compare North Central College in Naperville, IL with Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Minneapolis, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Central College is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (3,003 students vs. 831 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Central College is located in Naperville, IL (Midsize City setting); Minneapolis College of Art and Design is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• North Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Central College 12:1; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1.

North Central College vs. MCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Central College or MCAD? 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 North Central College than MCAD ($23,276 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design are 9% lower than at North Central College ($13,360 vs. $14,688).
• North Central College is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCAD (about $242 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at North Central College than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (about $242 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at North Central College as at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 14.7% larger than aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students ($34,056 vs. $29,682).

North Central College vs. MCAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Central College or MCAD? 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 MCAD and North Central College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1240) is 60 points higher than at North Central College (1180).
• Incoming North Central College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at MCAD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 1055/1310; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 24/29; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: North Central College - Test optional; MCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: North Central College Apr 15, 2027; MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman North Central College students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• North Central College has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at North Central College vs. 38.9% at MCAD.

North Central College vs. MCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for North Central College and MCAD? 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 North Central College's (64%).
• Graduates from North Central College earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Central College graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than MCAD graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, North Central College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCAD graduates ($258 vs. $266).
• More North Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCAD students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.