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

Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Minneapolis, MN·Private nonprofit·701 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. financial aid brings net price below sticker.

48%
Accept
701
Students
$25,935
Net Price
69%
Grad Rate
$43,200
Earnings
10 yr
$19,225
Debt

About This School

Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private nonprofit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota with approximately 701 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 48% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $25,935 per year. The graduation rate is 69%, and the typical graduate earns $43,200 within 10 years of enrollment.

The Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) is a private college specializing in the visual arts and located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. MCAD currently enrolls approximately 800 students. MCAD is one of just a few major art schools to offer a major in comic art.

This is a strong option for serious visual arts students who want a focused, small-school environment — it's one of the few colleges offering a dedicated comic art major, which signals real commitment to the full range of the field. The 69% graduation rate is a bit below average, worth asking about, but the median debt of $19,225 is relatively manageable. The concern is the $43,200 median earnings at 10 years out — not a dealbreaker for a passion-driven field, but go in clear-eyed about the financial picture.

Founded
1886
Setting
Large city

Popular Programs

Visual & Performing Arts70%
Business & Marketing5%
Communications2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

James RosenquistWanda Gág

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1170
Reading 75th %ile750
Math 75th %ile680

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$43,824
Out-of-State Tuition
$43,824
Avg Net Price
$25,935
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants40%
Median debt at graduation$19,225

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
69%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
82%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$43,200
after enrollment
Median Debt
$19,225
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$19,225
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$32,700
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$43,200
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.2x

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

White63%
Black7%
Hispanic/Latino11%
Asian8%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (701 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Minneapolis College of Art and Design

2501 Stevens Ave

Minneapolis, MN 55404

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Minnesota

Browse all Minnesota 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.