Academic Comparison between Metropolitan State and MCAD

Metropolitan State University and Minneapolis College of Art and Design are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Metropolitan State is a four-year, public school located in Saint Paul, MN and MCAD is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Minneapolis, MN.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Metropolitan State is a public and MCAD is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • MCAD has more expensive tuition & fees ($45,484) than Metropolitan State ($9,840).
  • It is harder to admit to MCAD than Metropolitan State.
  • MCAD has higher submitted ACT score (19) than Metropolitan State (19).
  • Metropolitan State has more students with 6,660 students while MCAD has 831 students.
  • MCAD has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while Metropolitan State's ratio is 15 to 1.
  • Metropolitan State has more full-time faculties with 164 faculties while MCAD has 38 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Metropolitan State Universityvs.Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Saint Paul, MinnesotaLocationMinneapolis, Minnesota
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Master's College and University (medium programs)Carnegie ClassificationSchool of art, music, and design
In-State$9,840
Out-Of-State$9,840
2025 Tuition & Fees$45,484
64%% Receiving Financial Aid99%
$6,190Average Amount of Financial Aid$27,086
98.71 %Acceptance Rates48.48 %
33.82 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)38.89 %
-SAT Score1,220
19ACT Score23
44 %Graduation Rate51 %
36 %Transfer-out Rate28 %
68 %Retention Rate75 %
6,660Student Population831
164Number of Faculties38
15 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio12 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services