Minneapolis College of Art and Design
MCAD
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404
Data last updated: August 29, 2026
Close-knit campus
Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private urban institution in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school is accessible to a wide range of students, with an average SAT of 1170.
A small campus of 701 undergraduates with a 10:1 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 $40,873 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $25,935.
More About This School
History & Fun Facts
- •History MCAD was founded in 1886 by the trustees of the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts and originally named the Minneapolis School of Fine Arts.
- •Douglas Volk (1856–1935), an accomplished American portrait painter who studied in Paris with renowned French painter and sculptor Jean-Léon Gérôme (1824–1904), became the school's first president.
- •In December 1889, the school found a more permanent home on the top floor of the just-finished Minneapolis Public Library at 10th Street and Hennepin Avenue.
- •In 1893, noted German-born painter and educator Robert Koehler (1850–1917) moved from New York to Minnesota to become president of the school.
- •In 1910, the School of Fine Arts changed its name to the Minneapolis School of Art to reflect the new emphasis on applied arts.
Source: Wikipedia
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Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1170
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Deadline Calendar
Typical Application Requirements
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
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
27.0%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.1%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$19,225
Programs (13)
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
82%
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
4
Peer Average
3
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus security, emergency notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Estimated from MN state average + large city premium