Pacific Northwest College of Art vs Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) and Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) stand out as prominent institutions offering specialized art and design education. While both colleges share a commitment to fostering creativity and artistic expression, they present distinct characteristics that cater to different student aspirations. PNCA, located in the vibrant city of Portland, Oregon, boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating a highly selective admissions process. MCAD, situated in the heart of Minneapolis, Minnesota, offers a more accessible admissions policy, welcoming a broader range of students. Delve into the comprehensive comparison table to explore further differences in acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Discover which college aligns best with your unique artistic journey and educational goals.
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![]() Minneapolis College of Art and Design |
![]() Pacific Northwest College of Art |
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Overview |
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Location | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Portland, Oregon |
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% | 59.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 65.5% | 97.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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$65 |
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 | 364 |
Total number of admissions given out | 418 | 355 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 163 | 64 |
Yield rate | 39.0% | 18.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | 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 | $63,974 |
Average net price | $28,520 | $36,405 |
Tuition | $41,344 | $41,768 |
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 |
99.0%
Average amount $22,027 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
96.0%
Average amount $5,416 |
70.0%
Average amount $5,333 |
Students taking out private loans |
20.0%
Average amount $15,914 |
6.0%
Average amount $18,860 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
675
Men 31.6% Women 68.4% |
397
Men 29.0% Women 71.0% |
Graduate students |
100
Men 22.0% Women 78.0% |
84
Men 20.2% Women 79.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 44.4% | N/A |
International students | 4.1% | 4.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 288 | 130 |
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 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 66.2% | 35.7% |
Dropout rate | 18.6% | 62.9% |
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 (Master's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis (Master's Degrees)
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