MCAD vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

Should I go to Minneapolis College of Art and Design or Dakota Wesleyan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MCAD or Dakota Wesleyan University 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.

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Minneapolis College of Art and Design vs. Dakota Wesleyan University comparison
Minneapolis College of Art and Design Dakota Wesleyan University College 3 College 4
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
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Overview

MCAD Dakota Wesleyan University
Location Minneapolis, MN Mitchell, SD
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 821 887
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcad.edu dwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MCAD Dakota Wesleyan University
Tuition (In State) $42,110 $30,700
Tuition (Out of State) $42,110 $30,700
Room & Board $7,290 $7,450
Avg Net Price $28,443 $19,825
Avg Grant Aid $26,025 $21,097
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

MCAD Dakota Wesleyan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 668 1,209
Admitted 380 904
Acceptance Rate 56.9% 74.8%
Enrolled % 42.1% 18.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.29 3.36
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/27 18/24
SAT Range 1170/1380 950/1420
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 Aug 27, 2024

Academics

MCAD Dakota Wesleyan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Communications Technology (9%)
  • Precision Production Trades (3%)
  • Communication (3%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

MCAD Dakota Wesleyan University
Graduation Rate 70% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,500 $38,200
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,750 $26,533
Median Loan Payment $266 $274

Diversity

MCAD Dakota Wesleyan University
% Men 31% 46%
% Women 69% 54%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 88%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 1% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 16% 0%

Students

MCAD Dakota Wesleyan University
% In-State 61% 61%
% Out-of-State 34% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Dakota Wesleyan University is larger than than MCAD based on total student enrollment (887 students vs. 821 students)

MCAD vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCAD or Dakota Wesleyan University?

  • Minneapolis College of Art and Design is 37.2% more expensive to attend than Dakota Wesleyan University for in-state tuition ($42,110.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 37.2% higher at MCAD than Dakota Wesleyan University ($42,110.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota Wesleyan University than MCAD ($19,825 vs. $28,443)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design are 2.2% lower than costs at Dakota Wesleyan University ($7,290 vs. $7,450)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design as Dakota Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students is 23.4% larger than aid received Dakota Wesleyan University ($26,025 vs. $21,097)

MCAD vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1096) is 114 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
  • Incoming MCAD students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Dakota Wesleyan University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at MCAD (3.29)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (74.8%) than MCAD (56.9%)

MCAD vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MCAD or Dakota Wesleyan University? 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 Wesleyan University and MCAD.

  • The graduation rate at MCAD is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (70% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Minneapolis College of Art and Design earn on average $3,300 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $38,200)
  • Minneapolis College of Art and Design students graduate with a $783 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($25,750 vs. $26,533)
  • MCAD graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($266 vs. $274)
  • More MCAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 71%)

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