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Massachusetts College of Art and Design logoPublicUrban

Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Boston, Massachusetts 02115-5882

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Data last updated: July 1, 2026

Public urban college in Boston

Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a public urban institution in Boston, Massachusetts. The school is accessible to a wide range of students.

A small campus of 1.8K undergraduates with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

69% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $43,582 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $23,764.

Established
1873
Mascot
Mastodon
Type
Public art school

Plan Your Visit

Admission Office

621 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115

617-879-7222[email protected]
Virtual Tour →Campus Map →
77%
Acceptance
—
SAT Avg
1,812
Undergrads
9:1
Student : Faculty
69%
Grad Rate (4yr)
$43,582
Earnings 10yr
$23,764
Avg Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate77.5%

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

Admissions

Test-RequiredTracks InterestOn-Campus Interviews

Application Platforms

Common Application

Early Action

December 1

Regular Decision

February 1

Financial Aid

Merit Scholarships

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$14,960
Tuition (out-of-state)$42,180
Room & Board$18,000
Books & Supplies$2,000
Total Cost of Attendance$32,256
Average Net Price$23,764
Median Debt at Graduation$25,755
Monthly Payment (10yr)$273

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$14,993
$30–48K$15,162
$48–75K$21,708
$75–110K$27,239
$110K+$31,058

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

49.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

14

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

4

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

4

Drug Arrests

3

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Academics

Semester
Majors
22
Avg class size
15
Student-faculty ratio
9:1

Programs (21)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

84%

Mixed

Campus Life

No varsity athleticsNo Greek Life

Housing & Residential Life

First-year students

Housing Styles

Artist residence hallsApartments

Dining

Student Body

Undergrads
1,812
Gender Split
75% / 25%
Women / Men
First Generation
23%
Pell Grant Recipients
28%

Race & Ethnicity

White 55%
Black 4%
Hispanic 14%
Asian 7%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 4%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate69.2%
Freshman Retention84.0%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$27,090
10 Years$43,582

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • •During the school's first decade, the state rented space for it in several locations, including Boston's Pemberton Square, School Street, and the Deacon House mansion on Washington Street.
  • •In 1886, the state built the school's first building at the corner of Exeter and Newbury streets.
  • •In 1929 the school was moved to its second built campus at Longwood and Brookline avenues.
  • •2016: The Design Innovation program is founded with the launch of the Master of Design, Innovation 2017: David P.
  • •2020: Nelson steps down as president and Kymberly Pinder becomes acting president.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

152Very High

Estimated from MA state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675K
3 mi(5 min)
New Yorkpop. 8.3M
188 mi(326 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
268 mi(465 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

BOS Boston Logan5 mi
MHT Manchester-Boston45 mi
PVD Providence TF Green46 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA3 mi · ~5 min drive
New York, NY188 mi · ~5h 26m drive
Hartford, CT90 mi · ~2h 36m drive
Providence, RI39 mi · ~1h 8m drive
Albany, NY137 mi · ~3h 57m drive
Syracuse, NY261 mi · ~7h 32m drive
Rochester, NY335 mi · ~9h 41m drive
Buffalo, NY397 mi · ~11h 28m drive
Philadelphia, PA268 mi · ~7h 45m drive
Pittsburgh, PA479 mi · ~13h 50m drive
Harrisburg, PA332 mi · ~9h 35m drive
Newark, NJ194 mi · ~5h 36m drive
Trenton, NJ239 mi · ~6h 54m drive
Central (cold winters, warm summers)

Nearby Attractions

•

Museum of Fine Artswalkable

World-class art museum with free admission for MassArt students

•

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museumwalkable

Stunning museum in a Venetian-style palace

•

Fenway Parkwalkable

Historic home of the Boston Red Sox

•

Back Bay Fenswalkable

Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park with gardens and paths

•

Symphony Hallwalkable

Home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

Transfer Admission

Minimum credits
12 semester hours

International Students

Typical Application Requirements

Get access to view details →

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