Wheaton College vs. MCAD

Comparable Facts

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

Wheaton College is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 831 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wheaton College is located in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting); Minneapolis College of Art and Design is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• Wheaton 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: Wheaton College 10:1; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1.

Wheaton College vs. MCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton 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 Minneapolis College of Art and Design than Wheaton College ($30,305 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 2.6% lower than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($13,010 vs. $13,360).
• Wheaton College is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCAD (about $62 more per year; $45,546.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Wheaton College than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (about $62 more per year; $45,546.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design than at Wheaton College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students is 6.1% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($29,682 vs. $27,987).

Wheaton College vs. MCAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wheaton 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 Wheaton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (1370) is 130 points higher than at MCAD (1240).
• Incoming Wheaton College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at MCAD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; MCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027; MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 38.9% at MCAD.

Wheaton College vs. MCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton 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).

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Minneapolis College of Art and Design's (70%).
• Graduates from Wheaton College earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than MCAD graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCAD graduates ($232 vs. $266).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCAD students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.