Iowa vs. MCAD

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 831 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Minneapolis College of Art and Design is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1.

Iowa vs. MCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa 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 University of Iowa than MCAD ($21,765 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 3.3% lower than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($12,920 vs. $13,360).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is 303.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $34,201 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.3% higher at MCAD than at University of Iowa (about $12,113 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students is 200.9% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($29,682 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. MCAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa 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 Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1240) is 10 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming MCAD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; MCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 38.9% at MCAD.

Iowa vs. MCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa 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).

• University of Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Minneapolis College of Art and Design's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $18,300 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $4,134 lower median loan debt than MCAD graduates ($21,616 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCAD graduates ($223 vs. $266).
• More MCAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa 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.