Minneapolis College of Art and Design

2501 Stevens Avenue, Minneapolis, , Minnesota

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Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), located just south of downtown Minneapolis, has educated talented artists, designers, entrepreneurs, and creative leaders for more than 130 years. As a nationally accredited institution, MCAD offers a unique combination of rigorous instruction and the creative freedom essential for nurturing individual expression. MCAD's distinguished faculty members—all practicing artists, designers, and entrepreneurs—are renowned for their ingenuity and practical expertise. MCAD graduates become professional artists, designers, visionary thinkers, creative leaders, and engaged global citizens. The college offers bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as certificates, in diverse fields such as design, fine arts, media, and communications.

DEGREES OFFERED: BFA, BS, MFA, MA
ACCREDITATION: HLC

Hover over dots to see degrees offered and online availability.

MAJORS OFFERED:

AnimationBachelors Degree Masters Degree
Comic ArtBachelors Degree Masters Degree
Creative EntreprenuershipBachelors Degree
FilmmakingBachelors Degree Masters Degree

 

 

Fine ArtsBachelors Degree Masters Degree
Graphic DesignBachelors Degree Optional Online
IllustrationBachelors Degree Masters Degree
Product and Furniture DesignBachelors Degree

MINORS OFFERED:

AdvertisingBachelors degree
Art HistoryBachelors degree
Creative WritingBachelors degree
Curatorial StudiesBachelors degree
Drawing/PaintingBachelors degree
Engaged and Public ArtsBachelors degree

 

Entrepreneurship Bachelors degree
Experimental GamesBachelors degree
PhotographyBachelors degree
Print Paper BookBachelors degree
SculptureBachelors degree
Teaching ArtistBachelors degree

LEGEND

Certificate
Associates Degree
Bachelor's Degree

Postbaccalaureate Certificate
Low-Residency Masters
Masters Degree


Fully Online
Partially Online
Optional Online

FOUNDATION PROGRAM
The Foundation Studies program offers courses that are transdisciplinary and cut across MCAD’s curriculum. These courses expose you to a wide variety of techniques, tools, and concepts while supporting your integration into the MCAD community. The goal of Foundation Studies is to build a solid foundation of art and design skills, key concepts, and history while further developing writing and research skills.


This program is Residential.

UNDERGRADUATE COST OF ATTENDANCE 2023-2024
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
FINANCIAL AID 2021-2022 FULL-TIME FRESHMEN *
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: 58%

Acceptance Rate = The percentage of students admitted out of applications received in a given year.

 
ENROLLMENT: FALL 2022

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.

UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
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: 2022-2023

FACULTY FTE1 = 64

FULL-TIME 33
PART-TIME 93
 

STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: FALL 2022
12.4 TO 1
FTE STUDENTS PER FTE FACULTY1

RETENTION

FRESHMAN RETENTION

FALL 2020 FRESHMEN
RETURNING IN FALL 2021
76%
 
FALL 2021 FRESHMEN
RETURNING IN FALL 2022
75%
GRADUATION

SIX-YEAR GRADUATION RATE

FALL 2015 FRESHMEN
GRADUATING WITHIN SIX YEARS
 
68%
 
FALL 2016 FRESHMEN
GRADUATING WITHIN SIX YEARS
 
58%

UNDERGRADUATE ETHNICITY

FALL 2022

UNDERGRADUATE GENDER DISTRIBUTION

FALL 2022

NEW STUDENT GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION2

FALL 2022
OTHER PROGRAMS

Certificate Programs

Art Educator Workshops
Continuing Education
Camps and Classes for Youth
Pre-College Summer Session for High School Students
Postsecondary Education Opportunity (PSEO)

Online Master of Arts in Creative Leadership
Online Master of Arts in Graphic and Web Design
Online Master of Arts in Sustainable Design

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES

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 Development

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.