UNI vs. MCAD

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA with Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Minneapolis, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Northern Iowa is larger than MCAD based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 831 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); Minneapolis College of Art and Design is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 12:1.

UNI vs. MCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI 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 University of Northern Iowa than MCAD ($16,437 vs. $30,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 25.3% lower than at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ($9,986 vs. $13,360).
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design is 357.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $35,548 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.5% higher at MCAD than at University of Northern Iowa (about $23,772 more per year; $45,484.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis College of Art and Design than at University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minneapolis College of Art and Design students is 406.1% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($29,682 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. MCAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI 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 UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1240) is 90 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming MCAD students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1130/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; Minneapolis College of Art and Design 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; MCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MCAD Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at MCAD (3.29).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than MCAD (48.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 38.9% at MCAD.

UNI vs. MCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI 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 University of Northern Iowa's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than MCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $5,125 lower median loan debt than MCAD graduates ($20,625 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MCAD graduates ($213 vs. $266).
• More MCAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 72%)

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.