Minneapolis College of Art and Design vs Otis College
Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) and Otis College of Art and Design (Otis) are two highly regarded art and design schools with distinct characteristics. MCAD, located in the vibrant city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs in art and design, with a focus on studio-based learning and a strong liberal arts foundation. Otis, situated in the heart of Los Angeles, California, is known for its emphasis on contemporary art and design practices, with a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and a diverse student body. While both institutions share a commitment to artistic excellence and creative exploration, they differ in terms of acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Minneapolis College of Art and Design |
![]() Otis College of Art and Design |
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Overview |
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Location | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Los Angeles, California |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 77.0% | 78.0% |
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No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 65.5% | 79.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | N/A | 1130 - 1360 |
ACT range | N/A | 20 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 13.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 3.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 638 | 2,284 |
Total number of admissions given out | 418 | 1,823 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 163 | 263 |
Yield rate | 39.0% | 14.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $55,702 | $70,802 |
Average net price | $28,520 | $45,402 |
Tuition | $41,344 | $47,700 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,980
Meal plan:
$1,200
|
$15,744 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $25,957 |
100.0%
Average amount $21,593 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
96.0%
Average amount $5,416 |
48.0%
Average amount $5,811 |
Students taking out private loans |
20.0%
Average amount $15,914 |
5.0%
Average amount $26,799 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
675
Men 31.6% Women 68.4% |
1,197
Men 30.5% Women 69.5% |
Graduate students |
100
Men 22.0% Women 78.0% |
55
Men 18.2% Women 81.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 44.4% | N/A |
International students | 4.1% | 30.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 288 | 403 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Minnesota Wisconsin Illinois Iowa South Dakota | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 66.2% | 68.6% |
Dropout rate | 18.6% | 31.4% |
Transferred out | 15.2% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
Graphic Communications (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Visual and Performing Arts, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
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