Minneapolis College of Art and Design vs San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI)
Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) and San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) stand out as two prominent art and design institutions, each offering unique educational experiences. MCAD, located in the vibrant city of Minneapolis, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring artists. SFAI, nestled in the heart of San Francisco, attracts a diverse student body, with a higher percentage of international students. While MCAD excels in programs like Illustration and Industrial Design, SFAI shines in Photography and New Genres. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including graduation rates, tuition fees, and faculty-to-student ratios, to help you make an informed decision that aligns with your artistic aspirations and career goals.
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![]() Minneapolis College of Art and Design |
![]() San Francisco Art Institute |
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Overview |
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Location | Minneapolis, Minnesota | San Francisco, 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% | |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 65.5% | 94.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$85
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 638 | 169 |
Total number of admissions given out | 418 | 160 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 163 | |
Yield rate | 39.0% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | |
High school GPA | Required | N/A |
Recommendation letters | Required | N/A |
High school transcript | Not required | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $55,702 | |
Average net price | $28,520 | |
Tuition | $41,344 | |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,980
Meal plan:
$1,200
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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 |
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Students receiving federal student loan |
96.0%
Average amount $5,416 |
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Students taking out private loans |
20.0%
Average amount $15,914 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
675
Men 31.6% Women 68.4% |
42
Men 50.0% Women 50.0% |
Graduate students |
100
Men 22.0% Women 78.0% |
28
Men 32.1% Women 67.9% |
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% | N/A |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 288 | N/A |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | N/A |
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 | 4:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | N/A |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 66.2% | 31.8% |
Dropout rate | 18.6% | 68.2% |
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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Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Master's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Visual and Performing Arts, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
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