MCAD vs. PLU

Should I go to Minneapolis College of Art and Design or Pacific Lutheran University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MCAD or PLU 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. Pacific Lutheran University comparison
Minneapolis College of Art and Design Pacific Lutheran University College 3 College 4
Minneapolis College of Art and Design Pacific Lutheran University
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Overview

MCAD PLU
Location Minneapolis, MN Tacoma, WA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 821 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #311
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcad.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MCAD PLU
Tuition (In State) $42,110 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $42,110 $49,472
Room & Board $7,290 $11,826
Avg Net Price $28,443 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $26,025 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

MCAD PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 668 3,334
Admitted 380 2,964
Acceptance Rate 56.9% 88.9%
Enrolled % 42.1% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.29 3.71
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/27 27/30
SAT Range 1170/1380 1253/1423
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 15, 2024

Academics

MCAD PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Communications Technology (9%)
  • Precision Production Trades (3%)
  • Communication (3%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

MCAD PLU
Graduation Rate 70% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,500 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,750 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $266 $266

Diversity

MCAD PLU
% Men 31% 36%
% Women 69% 64%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 59% 68%
% Black 4% 3%
% Hispanic 6% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 7%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 16% 1%

Students

MCAD PLU
% In-State 61% 74%
% Out-of-State 34% 22%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than MCAD based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 821 students)

MCAD vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCAD or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 17.5% more expensive to attend than MCAD for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $42,110.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.5% higher at PLU than Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($49,472.00 vs. $42,110.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than MCAD ($24,825 vs. $28,443)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design are 62.2% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($7,290 vs. $11,826)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 40% larger than aid received Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($36,435 vs. $26,025)

MCAD vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 21 points higher than at MCAD (1096)
  • Incoming PLU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at MCAD (24)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at MCAD (3.29)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than MCAD (56.9%)

MCAD vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MCAD or PLU? 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 PLU and MCAD.

  • The graduation rate at MCAD is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (70% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $10,800 more per year than MCAD graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $41,500)
  • Minneapolis College of Art and Design students graduate with a $50 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($25,750 vs. $25,800)
  • Pacific Lutheran University and MCAD graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($266 vs. $266)
  • More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCAD students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 74%)

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