Minneapolis College of Art and Design vs The University of the Arts (UArts)
Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) and The University of the Arts (UArts) stand out as two prominent institutions offering specialized art and design education. While both share a commitment to fostering creativity and artistic expression, they differ in several key aspects. MCAD, a private college located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, boasts a smaller student body and a more selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 68%. UArts, a private university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has a larger and more diverse student population, with an acceptance rate of 85%. MCAD offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in art and design, with popular majors including Fine Arts, Graphic Design, and Illustration. UArts, on the other hand, provides a wider variety of programs, including majors in Music, Dance, and Theater, in addition to its art and design offerings. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more distinctions between these two esteemed institutions and make an informed decision about your artistic journey
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![]() Minneapolis College of Art and Design |
![]() The University of the Arts |
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Overview |
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Location | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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% | 87.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 65.5% | 85.2% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$60
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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 | 1,293 |
Total number of admissions given out | 418 | 1,101 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 163 | 269 |
Yield rate | 39.0% | 24.4% |
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 | $68,690 |
Average net price | $28,520 | $25,932 |
Tuition | $41,344 | $48,350 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,980
Meal plan:
$1,200
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Room/dormitory:
$11,380
Meal plan:
$6,250
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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 |
100.0%
Average amount $26,798 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
96.0%
Average amount $5,416 |
94.0%
Average amount $5,851 |
Students taking out private loans |
20.0%
Average amount $15,914 |
21.0%
Average amount $24,297 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
675
Men 31.6% Women 68.4% |
1,397
Men 34.7% Women 65.3% |
Graduate students |
100
Men 22.0% Women 78.0% |
160
Men 28.8% Women 71.2% |
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% | 2.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 288 | 582 |
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 | 8:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 66.2% | 68.1% |
Dropout rate | 18.6% | 31.7% |
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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Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Museology/Museum Studies (Master's Degrees)
Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry (Bachelor's Degrees)
Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees)
Dance (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
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