Columbia College vs. MIAD

Columbia College and Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Columbia College
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: MIAD (60.5% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 1040 vs 1000.
  • Cheaper after aid: Columbia College. Average net price is $18,790 vs $27,579 at MIAD.
  • Graduation: Columbia College 50% vs MIAD 57%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Columbia College $34,700 vs MIAD $36,000 (median).
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Key differences

Columbia College Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Acceptance rate
MIAD more selective
Columbia College93.9%
MIAD60.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
MIAD higher
Columbia College850-1140
MIAD940-1140
Average net price
Columbia College $8,789 less
Columbia College$18,790
MIAD$27,579
In-state tuition
Columbia College $21,529 less
Columbia College$22,214
MIAD$43,743
Out-of-state tuition
Columbia College $21,529 less
Columbia College$22,214
MIAD$43,743
Graduation rate
MIAD +7 pts
Columbia College50%
MIAD57%
Median earnings (10 years)
MIAD +$1,300
Columbia College$34,700
MIAD$36,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Columbia College 2,634
  • MIAD 1,039
  • Admitted
  • Columbia College 2,474
  • MIAD 629
  • Acceptance rate
  • Columbia College 93.9%
  • MIAD 60.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Columbia College 8.5%
  • MIAD 33.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Columbia College 1000
  • MIAD 1040
  • Typical ACT score
  • Columbia College 16
  • MIAD 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • Columbia College 3.56
  • MIAD 3.08
  • Typical high school grades
  • Columbia College A-
  • MIAD B
  • Admissions standards
  • Columbia College Extremely Easy
  • MIAD Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Columbia College
  • MIAD Low
  • SAT range
  • Columbia College 850-1140
  • MIAD 940-1140
  • ACT range
  • Columbia College 14-18
  • MIAD 20-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Columbia College Test-free
  • MIAD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Columbia College
  • MIAD Aug 31, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Columbia College $22,214
  • MIAD $43,743
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Columbia College $22,214
  • MIAD $43,743
  • Room & board
  • Columbia College $9,390
  • MIAD $10,955
  • Average net price
  • Columbia College $18,790
  • MIAD $27,579
  • Average grant aid
  • Columbia College $16,451
  • MIAD $26,015
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Columbia College 97%
  • MIAD 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Columbia College 50%
  • MIAD 57%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Columbia College $34,700
  • MIAD $36,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Columbia College 43%
  • MIAD 59%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Columbia College $25,264
  • MIAD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Columbia College $261
  • MIAD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Columbia College 12:1
  • MIAD 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Columbia College
    • Education (20%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Human Services (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • MIAD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (87%)
    • Communications Technology (7%)
    • Architecture (6%)
  • Location
  • Columbia College Columbia, SC
  • MIAD Milwaukee, WI
  • Setting
  • Columbia College Midsize City
  • MIAD Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Columbia College 1,725
  • MIAD 838
  • Type
  • Columbia College Private 4 Year
  • MIAD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Columbia College #937
  • MIAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, SC with Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Columbia College is larger than MIAD based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 838 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
  • Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 14.3% lower than at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design ($9,390 vs. $10,955).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 96.9% higher at MIAD than at Columbia College (about $21,529 more per year; $43,743 vs. $22,214).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students is 58.1% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($26,015 vs. $16,451).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 8 points higher at MIAD than at Columbia College (24 vs. 16, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Columbia College, test optional at MIAD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: MIAD Aug 31, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Columbia College average a 3.56 high school GPA, 0.48 higher than at MIAD (3.08).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 33.2% at MIAD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $1,736 lower median loan debt than MIAD graduates ($25,264 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MIAD graduates ($261 vs. $279).
  • More MIAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation (59% vs. 43%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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