Skip to main content
CollegeHelpGuide
Massachusetts College of Art and Design logo

Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Boston, MA·Public·1,812 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 1,812 students.

77%
Accept
1,812
Students
$23,764
Net Price
69%
Grad Rate
$40,700
Earnings
10 yr
$19,500
Debt

About This School

Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a public institution located in Boston, Massachusetts with approximately 1,812 undergraduate students enrolled. Massachusetts College of Art and Design has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 77%. The average net price after financial aid is $23,764 per year. The graduation rate is 69%, and the typical graduate earns $40,700 within 10 years of enrollment.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design, branded as MassArt, is a public college of visual and applied art in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1873, it is one of the nation's oldest art schools, and the only publicly funded independent art school in the United States. It was the first art college in the United States to grant an artistic degree.

The only publicly funded independent art school in the country, MassArt offers a rare combination of an affordable price tag (average net price of $23,764/year with relatively low median debt of $19,500) and a Boston location with real access to creative industries. Worth considering if you're serious about a career in art or design and want an accredited BFA without private school debt — though be clear-eyed that median earnings of $40,700 a decade out reflect the modest financial reality of many art careers, and the 69% graduation rate suggests not everyone finds it the right fit.

Founded
1873
Setting
Large city

Popular Programs

Visual & Performing Arts83%
Communications9%
Education4%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Walter PistonHal HartleyKatya ZamolodchikovaAlbert Henry MunsellChristian MarclayNancy Haigh

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$14,960
Out-of-State Tuition
$42,180
Avg Net Price
$23,764
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants28%
Median debt at graduation$19,500

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
69%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
84%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$40,700
after enrollment
Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$31,200
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$40,700
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.1x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White55%
Black4%
Hispanic/Latino14%
Asian7%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,812 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Massachusetts College of Art and Design

621 Huntington Ave

Boston, MA 02115-5882

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Massachusetts

Browse all Massachusetts schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.