MCAD vs. Dakota State

Should I go to Minneapolis College of Art and Design or Dakota State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MCAD or Dakota State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

South Dakota State University Dakota Wesleyan University Minnesota USD Augustana University of Minnesota-Rochester ISU University of Missouri-Columbia
Minneapolis College of Art and Design vs. Dakota State University comparison
Minneapolis College of Art and Design Dakota State University College 3 College 4
Minneapolis College of Art and Design Dakota State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 MCAD Dakota State
Location Minneapolis, MN Madison, SD
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 821 3,241
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #808
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcad.edu dsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 MCAD Dakota State
Tuition (In State) $42,110 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $42,110 $10,718
Room & Board $7,290 $8,018
Avg Net Price $28,443 $17,977
Avg Grant Aid $26,025 $5,467
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 92%

Admission

 MCAD Dakota State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 668 882
Admitted 380 696
Acceptance Rate 56.9% 78.9%
Enrolled % 42.1% 53.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.29 3.33
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/27 19/27
SAT Range 1170/1380 940/1240
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2024

Academics

 MCAD Dakota State
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Communications Technology (9%)
  • Precision Production Trades (3%)
  • Communication (3%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (28%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (22%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (3%)

Outcomes

 MCAD Dakota State
Graduation Rate 70% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,500 $42,200
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,750 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $266 $242

Diversity

 MCAD Dakota State
% Men 31% 64%
% Women 69% 36%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 84%
% Black 4% 4%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 16% 1%

Students

 MCAD Dakota State
% In-State 61% 58%
% Out-of-State 34% 39%

Campus

 MCAD Dakota State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Dakota State University is larger than than MCAD based on total student enrollment (3,241 students vs. 821 students)

MCAD vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCAD or Dakota State?

  • Minneapolis College of Art and Design is 452.9% more expensive to attend than Dakota State for in-state tuition ($42,110.00 vs. $7,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 292.9% higher at MCAD than Dakota State University ($42,110.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota State University than MCAD ($17,977 vs. $28,443)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design are 10% lower than costs at Dakota State University ($7,290 vs. $8,018)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design than Dakota State University (100% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students is 376% larger than aid received Dakota State University ($26,025 vs. $5,467)

MCAD vs. Dakota State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCAD or Dakota State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Dakota State or MCAD .

  • The average SAT score at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1096) is 49 points higher than at Dakota State (1047)
  • Incoming MCAD students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Dakota State (23)
  • Accepted freshman Dakota State students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at MCAD (3.29)
  • Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (78.9%) than MCAD (56.9%)

MCAD vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MCAD or Dakota State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Dakota State and MCAD.

  • The graduation rate at MCAD is higher than Dakota State University (70% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Dakota State University earn on average $700 more per year than MCAD graduates after ten years. ($42,200 vs. $41,500)
  • Dakota State University students graduate with a $2,250 lower median federal student loan debt than MCAD graduates. ($23,500 vs. $25,750)
  • Dakota State graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than MCAD graduates. ($242 vs. $266)
  • More MCAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 67%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/