Simpson College vs. MCAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson College in Indianola, IA with Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Minneapolis, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Simpson College is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (1,251 students vs. 831 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); Minneapolis College of Art and Design is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1.

Simpson College vs. MCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or MCAD? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Simpson College than MCAD ($23,282 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 21.4% lower than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($10,500 vs. $13,360).
• Simpson College is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCAD (about $2,172 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at Simpson College than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (about $2,172 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $45,484.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College as at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 27.7% larger than aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students ($37,896 vs. $29,682).

Simpson College vs. MCAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Simpson College or MCAD? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MCAD and Simpson College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1240) is 150 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming MCAD students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Simpson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 890/1280; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; MCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027; MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 38.9% at MCAD.

Simpson College vs. MCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and MCAD? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Minneapolis College of Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Simpson College's (69%).
• Graduates from Simpson College earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minneapolis College of Art and Design graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MCAD graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCAD students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.