The Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), located just south of Downtown Minneapolis, has celebrated creating art on the cutting edge for more than 130 years. With the highest accreditation level for an art and design college, MCAD provides the instruction you need to grow along with the freedom critical to fostering your individual creativity. MCAD's faculty, comprised exclusively of working artists and designers, is renowned for its ingenuity and expertise. MCAD educates individuals to be professional artists and designers, pioneering thinkers, creative leaders, and engaged global citizens through its offering of bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and post-baccalaureate certificates in a variety of areas including design, fine arts, media, and communications.
Hover over dots to see degrees offered and online availability.
MAJORS OFFERED:AnimationBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Comic ArtBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Drawing/PaintingBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Entrepreneurial StudiesBachelors Degree
FilmmakingBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Fine Art StudioBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Furniture DesignBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Graphic and Web DesignMasters Degree
Fully Online
Graphic DesignBachelors Degree
Postbaccalaureate Certificate
Masters Degree
Optional Online
IllustrationBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Interactive Design and MarketingPostbaccalaureate Certificate
Fully Online
PhotographyBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Print Paper BookBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Product DesignBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
SculptureBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Sustainable DesignMasters Degree
Fully Online
Web and Multimedia EnvironmentsBachelors Degree
Masters Degree
This program is Residential.
| FULL-TIME | |
| TUITION | $ 43,374 |
| MANDATORY FEES | 450 |
| BOOKS & SUPPLIES | 3,640 |
| ON-CAMPUS ROOM & BOARD | 10,410 |
| OFF-CAMPUS ROOM & BOARD | 10,410 |
| OTHER | 4,958 |
| AID CATEGORY | AVG PER RECIPIENT | 1st YR RECIPIENTS |
| INSTITUTIONAL AWARDS3 | $22,016 | 100% |
| FEDERAL/NATIONAL GRANTS | 4,604 | 44% |
| STATE & LOCAL GRANTS | 5,938 | 34% |
| FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS | 6,127 | 95% |
AVERAGE AMOUNT RECEIVED PER RECIPIENT: $35,231
100% OF FULL-TIME FRESHMEN RECEIVED AID
* Most recent financial aid data available
Acceptance Rate = The percentage of students admitted out of applications received in a given year.
UNDERGRADUATE FTE1 = 693
UNDERGRADUATE
| FULL-TIME | 687 |
| PART-TIME | 15 |
NOTE 1: "Full-Time Equivalent" is the common way to measure the relative size of colleges. This adjusts for differences in the percentage of part-time students (or faculty). For example: one full-time student = 1 FTE; three half-time students = 1.5 FTE, etc.
| APPLICATION: | Required |
| ONLINE APPLICATION: | Required |
| APPLICATION FEES: | $50 (approximate) |
| HOME EXAM: | Not Required |
| INTERVIEW: | Recommended |
| ESSAY: | Required |
| SAT / ACT: | Required |
| PORTFOLIO: | Required, depending on program |
| LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: | Required (1) |
| IELTS: | Required if English is a second language |
| TOEFL: | Required if English is a second language |
TRANSCRIPTS
| HIGH SCHOOL: | Required |
| COLLEGE: | Required, if transferring |
FACULTY FTE1 = 64
| FULL-TIME | 33 |
| PART-TIME | 93 |
STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: FALL 2022
12.4 TO 1
FTE STUDENTS PER FTE FACULTY1
FRESHMAN RETENTION
| FALL 2020 FRESHMEN RETURNING IN FALL 2021 |
76% |
| FALL 2021 FRESHMEN RETURNING IN FALL 2022 |
75% |
SIX-YEAR GRADUATION RATE
| FALL 2015 FRESHMEN GRADUATING WITHIN SIX YEARS |
68% |
| FALL 2016 FRESHMEN GRADUATING WITHIN SIX YEARS |
58% |
UNDERGRADUATE ETHNICITY
FALL 2022UNDERGRADUATE GENDER DISTRIBUTION
FALL 2022NEW STUDENT GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION2
FALL 2022Certificate Programs
Art History Minor
Teaching Artist Minor
Creative Writing Minor
Art Educator Workshops
Continuing Education
Camps and Classes for Youth
Pre-College Summer Session for High School Students
Post-Secondary Education Opportunity (PSEO)
Online Post-Baccalaureate in Interactive Design and Marketing
Online Master of Arts in Sustainable Design
Post-Baccalaureate in Graphic Design (partially online)
Personal Studio Spaces
On-Campus Apartments
Study Abroad
AICAD Exchange Program
Local, National, and International Internships
Online Courses
Student-Run Gallery
MCAD Art Sale
MCAD DesignWorks
Career Services
NOTE 1: "Full-Time Equivalent" is the common way to measure the relative size of colleges. This adjusts for differences in the percentage of part-time students (or faculty). For example: one full-time student = 1 FTE; three half-time students = 1.5 FTE, etc. NOTE 2: Geographic distribution is reported for first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates. NOTE 3: Includes all institutional scholarships and grants, but does not include College Work Study or third party awards.