Minnesota vs. MCAD

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN 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 Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (56,666 students vs. 831 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting); Minneapolis College of Art and Design is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities 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 Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1.

Minnesota vs. MCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Minnesota 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 Minnesota Twin Cities than MCAD ($17,209 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design are 3.6% lower than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities ($13,360 vs. $13,856).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is 164.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Minnesota (about $28,270 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $17,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.6% higher at MCAD than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (about $7,122 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $38,362.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (100% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students is 136.5% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students ($29,682 vs. $12,552).

Minnesota vs. MCAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Minnesota 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 Minnesota.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (1400) is 160 points higher than at MCAD (1240).
• Incoming Minnesota students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at MCAD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Minnesota - Test optional; MCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Minnesota Jan 1, 2027; MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Minnesota students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.3% at Minnesota vs. 38.9% at MCAD.

Minnesota vs. MCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Minnesota 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).

• The graduation rate at Minnesota is the same as at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (70% vs. 70%).
• Graduates from University of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of about $16,700 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates have a $5,565 lower median loan debt than MCAD graduates ($20,185 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCAD graduates ($208 vs. $266).
• More Minnesota 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.