Academic Comparison between MSUM and MCAD

Minnesota State University Moorhead and Minneapolis College of Art and Design are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. MSUM is a four-year, public school located in Moorhead, 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.

  • MSUM 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 MSUM ($10,428).
  • It is harder to admit to MCAD than MSUM.
  • MCAD has higher submitted ACT score (21) than MSUM (21).
  • MSUM has more students with 4,386 students while MCAD has 831 students.
  • MCAD has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while MSUM's ratio is 17 to 1.
  • MSUM has more full-time faculties with 168 faculties while MCAD has 38 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Minnesota State University Moorheadvs.Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Moorhead, MinnesotaLocationMinneapolis, Minnesota
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationSchool of art, music, and design
In-State$10,428
Out-Of-State$10,428
2025 Tuition & Fees$45,484
67%% Receiving Financial Aid99%
$6,740Average Amount of Financial Aid$27,086
58.76 %Acceptance Rates48.48 %
27.31 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)38.89 %
-SAT Score1,220
21ACT Score23
57 %Graduation Rate51 %
24 %Transfer-out Rate28 %
75 %Retention Rate75 %
4,386Student Population831
168Number of Faculties38
17 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio12 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services