Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Minneapolis College of Art and Design — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Minneapolis College of Art and Design Worth It?
At a value score of 20/100, Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $40,873 — 24% below average — while paying $29,926/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.9-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 59% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 66% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Minneapolis College of Art and Design has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Minneapolis College of Art and Design compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #27 of 54 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Turtle Mountain College | 100 | $3,428 | $32,079 |
| #2 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #3 | Hallmark University | 54 | $12,513 | $40,183 |
| #4 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #5 | University of Fort Lauderdale | 48 | $19,965 | $38,062 |
| #6 | Boricua College | 43 | $15,245 | $35,348 |
| #27 | Minneapolis College of Art and Design | 20 | $29,926 | $40,873 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Minneapolis College of Art and Design's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MN.
Best Programs at Minneapolis College of Art and Design
The highest-earning program at Minneapolis College of Art and Design is Film/Video and Photographic Arts at $23,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $20,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduate from Minneapolis College of Art and Design earns $23,500, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $20,900. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates carry $26,000 in median debt vs. $23,250 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $29,926/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $23,500 | $23,500 | $26,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $22,800 | $22,800 | $25,784 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $20,900 | $20,900 | $23,250 |
Similar Colleges in MN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Minneapolis, MN
- Student Body
- 705 students
- Admission Rate
- 48%
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $29,926
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $40,873
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000