Minneapolis College of Art and Design: 56.9% Acceptance Rate

56.9%Acceptance

$43,824Tuition

701Students

69%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$40,873Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Minneapolis College of Art and Design

MCAD has built a reputation as one of the Midwest's top art schools since 1886, training generations of illustrators, graphic designers, and fine artists. The college enrolls 701 students in downtown Minneapolis, where they benefit from the city's thriving creative scene and numerous galleries. Students work closely with faculty in a 10:1 ratio, allowing for intensive mentorship in specialized programs. The school accepts 57% of applicants, drawing serious art students who understand the commitment required for creative careers.

Students pay an average net price of $25,935 after financial aid, less than the $43,824 sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $40,873 ten years after graduation, with typical monthly loan payments of $286. The financial picture reflects the reality of creative careers, where passion often outweighs immediate earning potential. About 40% of students receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves students across economic backgrounds.

Women make up 69% of the student body, typical for art schools nationwide. The 69% six-year graduation rate demonstrates that completing an intensive art program takes dedication. With 95% of graduates finding employment, MCAD proves that specialized creative training leads to professional opportunities in Minnesota's robust design industry.

Academics & Faculty

MCAD focuses exclusively on art and design education, making it one of the country's most specialized creative institutions. The college built its reputation on illustration and graphic design programs that regularly place graduates at major studios and agencies. Students work closely with faculty through a 10:1 student-faculty ratio that enables intensive critique sessions and individual mentorship. The 63% four-year graduation rate reflects the demanding nature of portfolio-based programs where students often extend their studies to perfect their craft. Fine arts, animation, and product design round out the curriculum. With 701 students total, everyone knows each other and collaborates across disciplines. The semester system allows deep project development.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Full-Time Faculty: 27.9%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 62.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 69.2%
Retention Rate: 81.9%
Median Earnings (10 years): $40,873

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Fine and Studio Arts.	Master	$28,236
Design and Applied Arts.	Bachelor	$25,967
Film/Video and Photographic Arts.	Bachelor	$25,967
Fine and Studio Arts.	Bachelor	$22,192
Graphic Communications.	Bachelor	$18,771

View all 13 programs →

Campus Life

MCAD students live in the heart of Minneapolis, where winters demand serious coats and the art scene thrives year-round. With housing for only 389 students and total enrollment of 701, most students live off-campus in the surrounding neighborhoods. The 68.76% female student body creates a tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone's work. Students spend weekends exploring the Twin Cities' gallery district, catching shows at the Walker Art Center, or working late in the studios that stay open 24/7.

The campus feels more like an urban art collective than a traditional college. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, professors know your portfolio personally and push your creative boundaries. Studio culture dominates daily life, with students camping out in printmaking labs or digital suites until the early hours. The surrounding area offers internships at Target's design headquarters and freelance opportunities with local agencies. Minneapolis winters are brutal, but the creative energy keeps students warm through February's subzero days.

Setting: City-Large
Housing Capacity: 389 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1886

Campus Safety (2023)

15 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Motor Vehicle Theft	4	0	1	3
Burglary	3	3	0	0
Fondling	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 8°–21°F
July Avg: 64°–83°F
Annual Precipitation: 34.4"
Annual Snowfall: 40.4"

Student Demographics

Students at this small art college represent a tight-knit creative community drawn primarily from Minnesota and surrounding states. Women make up about two-thirds of the 701 students, reflecting the strong appeal of MCAD's illustration and design programs to female artists. The school attracts a diverse mix of backgrounds, with students of color comprising over a quarter of enrollment. Many come from working-class families, as four in ten receive Pell Grants. This accessibility helps MCAD maintain its reputation as a place where artistic talent matters more than family wealth.

Men: 31.2%
Women: 68.8%
White: 63.5%
Black: 6.7%
Hispanic: 10.8%
Asian: 7.9%
In-State Students: 59.7%
Pell Grant Recipients: 40.2%

Location

Minneapolis College of Art and Design sits in the heart of Minneapolis, Minnesota's largest city with over 400,000 residents. The campus operates within the active arts district of downtown Minneapolis, surrounded by galleries, theaters, and creative studios that complement the school's artistic mission. Students benefit from the Twin Cities metropolitan area, which houses more than 3.6 million people and ranks among the nation's top cultural centers. The urban setting provides abundant internship opportunities at design firms, advertising agencies, and media companies. Winter temperatures average 24 degrees, creating a distinct seasonal rhythm that many artists find inspiring for their creative work. Students considering colleges in Minnesota may also compare Minneapolis College of Art and Design with similar schools in the region.

Address: Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404

Minneapolis-college-art-design-campus-birds-eye

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $40,873
Median Earnings (5 years): $44,913
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $32,700
Loan Repayment Rate: 66.3%
Monthly Loan Payment: $286/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $27,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Minneapolis College of Art and Design?

Minneapolis College of Art and Design accepts 56.89% of applicants, making it moderately selective for a specialized art school. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1170 and 1380 on the SAT, reflecting the school's focus on both artistic talent and academic preparation.

How much does Minneapolis College of Art and Design cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $25,935 annually, lower than the sticker price of $58,374. About 40% of students receive Pell Grants, and the school provides institutional grants averaging $26,025 to help make this specialized art education more accessible.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Minneapolis College of Art and Design?

The student-faculty ratio is 10:1 with just 701 total students, creating an intimate studio environment typical of top art schools. This small size allows for intensive mentorship in specialized programs like illustration and graphic design that MCAD is known for.

What are the career outcomes for Minneapolis College of Art and Design graduates?

Graduates earn a median of $40,873 ten years after graduation, with a 94.7% employment rate reflecting strong demand for MCAD's specialized training. The 69.20% six-year graduation rate is reasonable for an intensive art program where students often take longer to complete portfolio requirements.

Where do most Minneapolis College of Art and Design students come from?

About 60% of students come from Minnesota, while 40% travel from other states to access MCAD's specialized programs. The student body is 68.76% female, typical for art schools, and the campus houses 389 students in a active Minneapolis arts district.

How long has Minneapolis College of Art and Design been training artists?

Founded in 1886, MCAD has been developing artists and designers for over 135 years, making it one of America's oldest art colleges. This long history has established the school's reputation in illustration, graphic design, and fine arts, with alumni networks spanning generations of creative professionals.