Whittier College vs. MCAD

Comparable Facts

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

Minneapolis College of Art and Design is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (831 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Whittier College is located in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting); Minneapolis College of Art and Design is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• Whittier 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: Whittier College 8:1; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1.

Whittier College vs. MCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Whittier 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 Whittier College than MCAD ($28,101 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design are 21.8% lower than at Whittier College ($13,360 vs. $17,082).
• Whittier College is 12.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCAD (about $5,866 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.9% higher at Whittier College than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (about $5,866 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design than at Whittier College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 21.9% larger than aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students ($36,176 vs. $29,682).

Whittier College vs. MCAD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whittier College (1240) is the same as at MCAD (1240).
• Incoming Whittier College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at MCAD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 1140/1340; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 24/30; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Whittier College - Test-free; MCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Whittier College students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• Whittier College has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.4% at Whittier College vs. 38.9% at MCAD.

Whittier College vs. MCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Whittier 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 Whittier College's (55%).
• Graduates from Whittier College earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whittier College graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than MCAD graduates ($25,500 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Whittier College graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCAD graduates ($263 vs. $266).
• More MCAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whittier College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 69%)

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.