Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Plains Region
City Campus Setting
Very Small Size
714 Undergrad Enrollment
10:1 Student:Faculty
Master’s Highest Degree
Accepts Tuition Rewards
2501 Stevens Ave - Minneapolis, MN 55404

From Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Minneapolis College of Art and Design students have been creating cutting-edge work for more than 130 years. Founded in 1886, MCAD provides artists and designers with the instruction they need to grow - and the freedom they need to foster individual creativity.

98% of MCAD's diverse student body of more than 800 students receive financial aid. And, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1, all students get special attention from our renowned faculty, which comprises working artists and designers who know what it takes to be successful and are passionate about helping students pursue their dreams.

The college is host to both traditional and non-traditional fine art, media, design and entrepreneurial studies programs. Plus, our trailblazing bachelor of science degree program in entrepreneurial studies prepares students for the creative business world by giving them the communication, management and visual arts skills to succeed in any career path.

Located in the heart of Minneapolis - a top U.S. destination city for arts and culture - MCAD provides the ideal environment for you to develop both as a creative and as an individual. Check us out at https://mcad.edu.

Neighborhood

Located in the vibrant Phillips neighborhood of south Minneapolis, MCAD's campus sits in a dynamic area filled with independent coffee shops, restaurants, and galleries that reflect the city's creative culture. Students enjoy easy access to the nearby Chain of Lakes parks for outdoor recreation, while the surrounding streets offer a mix of vintage shops, music venues, and affordable dining options that cater to the artistic community. The neighborhood has a distinctly bohemian character with tree-lined streets and a strong sense of local character, making it an inspiring place for creative students to live and study.
85
Very Walkable
Walk Score
95
Rider’s Paradise
Transit Score
100
Biker’s Paradise
Bike Score
½ mile
1 mile
2 miles
Food & Drink
Restaurants & Bars
Daily Needs
Grocery & Services
Shopping & Entertainment
Shopping & Entertainment
Health & Wellness
Gyms, Parks & Hospitals
Transit Access
Rail (subway, train, light rail)
Bus stops & stations
Median rent nearby: ~$1,466/mo

Admissions & Enrollment

2026-27 Application Deadlines Deadline  
Early Action Dec 1, 2026
Early Action II Feb 15, 2027
Regular Decision Apr 1, 2027
Rolling Admission Open Applications are reviewed as they arrive
Application deadlines are based on information from the college website or publicly available sources. Deadlines can change, so be sure to verify all deadlines with the college before applying.
  REQ Required REC Recommended CON Considered NR Not Required
Highschool GPA
Highschool Rank
Highschool Record
College Preparatory Program
Recommendations
Admission test scores
Personal essay
· REQ = Required
· REC = Recommended
· CON = Considered
· NR = Not Required
Standardized Tests % Submitted Score Range  
SAT 3 1110 - 1430  
ACT 16 20 - 24  
Freshmen Class Total Men Women Another
Number of applicants 885 24 % 69 % 95 %
Number admitted 428 24 % 75 % 1 %
Number enrolled 169 30 % 69 % -
Does not fall into either of the mutually exclusive binary categories provided

Featured Video

Upcoming Events

Minnesota Private College Week at MCAD: June
The Minneapolis College of Art and Design invites you to visit during Minnesota Private College Week…
Fall Events: Tour Campus and Facilities, Hear From Students and Faculty
Join us at one of our many convenient Fall Admissions Events, on campus and online! Take a tour of…
Spring Events: Tour Campus and Facilities, Hear From Students and Faculty
Join us at one of our many convenient Spring Admissions Events on campus or online! Take a tour of…
Visit Campus: Schedule a Campus Tour, Interview, or Portfolio Review
The best way to find out if MCAD is a good fit for you is to come and see us! MCAD is currently…

Mission Statement

Vision

MCAD emboldens creative leaders to collaboratively transform society through equity, empathy, and imagination.

Mission

MCAD provides a transformative education within a community of support for creative students of all backgrounds to work, collaborate, and lead with confidence in a dynamic, interconnected world.

MCAD students become:

  • Accomplished makers and scholars
  • Equity-minded problem solvers
  • Critical, conceptual thinkers
  • Inclusive, collaborative partners
  • Empathic listeners
  • Creative storytellers
  • Engaged citizens within a global context

Values

  • Transformational Ideas and Actions that emerge from the intersection of creativity, culture, and equity.
  • Collaborative Community that supports both independent achievements and collective successes.
  • Empathetic Leadership that integrates humility, inclusivity, curiosity, and foresight to fuel change.
  • Multifaceted and Complex Identities that embody diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds.
  • Experiential Learning that embraces generative processes, critical discourse, and an iterative methodology to achieve academic, institutional, and individual excellence.