Kansas City Art Institute vs Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) and Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) stand out as two prominent art and design institutions, each offering unique educational experiences. KCAI boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating a more selective admissions process, while MCAD offers a higher acceptance rate, making it more accessible to aspiring artists. In terms of student body demographics, KCAI has a slightly larger undergraduate population, while MCAD has a more diverse student body. Both institutions offer a range of popular majors in art and design, with KCAI excelling in areas like painting, drawing, and sculpture, and MCAD known for its strengths in graphic design, illustration, and photography. When it comes to graduation rates, MCAD has a slightly higher rate, suggesting a strong commitment to student success. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these aspects and more, allowing you to assess which institution aligns best with your artistic aspirations and academic goals
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![]() Kansas City Art Institute |
![]() Minneapolis College of Art and Design |
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Overview |
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Location | Kansas City, Missouri | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
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 | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 74.0% | 77.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 60.0% | 65.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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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 | 897 | 638 |
Total number of admissions given out | 538 | 418 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 206 | 163 |
Yield rate | 38.3% | 39.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | 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 | $52,075 | $55,702 |
Average net price | $27,274 | $28,520 |
Tuition | $39,975 | $41,344 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,700
Meal plan:
$3,425
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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) |
99.0%
Average amount $26,787 |
100.0%
Average amount $25,957 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
76.0%
Average amount $4,963 |
96.0%
Average amount $5,416 |
Students taking out private loans |
14.0%
Average amount $16,562 |
20.0%
Average amount $15,914 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
726
Men 25.9% Women 74.1% |
675
Men 31.6% Women 68.4% |
Graduate students | N/A |
100
Men 22.0% Women 78.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 44.4% |
International students | 0.8% | 4.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 229 | 288 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Minnesota Wisconsin Illinois Iowa South Dakota |
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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 | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 62.1% | 66.2% |
Dropout rate | 17.2% | 18.6% |
Transferred out | 20.7% | 15.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Graphic Communications (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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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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