Minneapolis College of Art and Design vs American Academy of Art College
Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) and American Academy of Art College (AAAC) stand out as prominent institutions offering specialized art and design education. While both colleges share a commitment to fostering creativity and artistic expression, they differ in several key aspects. MCAD boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating a more selective admissions process, while AAAC offers a more open admissions policy. In terms of student body demographics, MCAD has a larger undergraduate population and a higher percentage of female students compared to AAAC. Regarding academic offerings, MCAD features a broader range of majors, including fine arts, design, and media arts, while AAAC focuses primarily on visual arts and design. Additionally, MCAD has a higher graduation rate, suggesting a stronger emphasis on student success and completion. To help you make an informed decision about your art education journey, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these differences and more. Explore the table to discover which college aligns best with your aspirations and
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![]() American Academy of Art College |
![]() Minneapolis College of Art and Design |
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Overview |
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Location | Chicago, Illinois | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (For Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 70.0% | 77.0% |
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Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | Open Admission | 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 | 638 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 418 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 163 | |
Yield rate | 39.0% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | Not required | N/A |
High school GPA | N/A | Required |
Recommendation letters | N/A | Required |
High school transcript | N/A | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | N/A | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $47,236 | $55,702 |
Average net price | $22,406 | $28,520 |
Tuition | $35,800 | $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) |
67.0%
Average amount $19,206 |
100.0%
Average amount $25,957 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
70.0%
Average amount $6,159 |
96.0%
Average amount $5,416 |
Students taking out private loans |
15.0%
Average amount $13,425 |
20.0%
Average amount $15,914 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
145
Men 31.7% Women 68.3% |
675
Men 31.6% Women 68.4% |
Graduate students | N/A |
100
Men 22.0% Women 78.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 44.4% |
International students | N/A | 4.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | N/A | 288 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | N/A | 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 | 6:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 56.9% | 66.2% |
Dropout rate | 29.3% | 18.6% |
Transferred out | 12.1% | 15.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (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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