More selective than 83% of Minnesota colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
3% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 16% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose MCAD over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
We don't have MCAD's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at MCAD or have its file? Send it to us.
MCAD SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, MCAD is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 600 | 710 |
| SAT math | 530 | 630 |
| ACT composite | 21 | 29 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1130 | 1340 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
MCAD admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 48% | 600–710 | 530–630 | 21–29 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 48% | 570–750 | 540–680 | 20–24 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is MCAD compared with other Minnesota colleges?
MCAD has the 7th-lowest acceptance rate of 36 Minnesota colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Macalester College | 29% | 87% | $32,149 |
| 4 | Bethany Lutheran College | 39% | 55% | $20,148 |
| 5 | Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science | 39% | — | — |
| 6 | St Olaf College | 48% | 84% | $23,874 |
| 7 | Minneapolis College of Art and Design | 48% | 51% | $29,926 |
| 8 | Bemidji State University | 56% | 48% | $15,261 |
| 9 | Minnesota State University Moorhead | 59% | 57% | $17,997 |
| 10 | Gustavus Adolphus College | 61% | 77% | $22,900 |
| 11 | Southwest Minnesota State University | 62% | 45% | $15,291 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Minnesota colleges →
Who enrolls at MCAD
College Scorecard; IPEDS
MCAD admissions questions
What is the MCAD acceptance rate?
Minneapolis College of Art and Design accepts 48% of applicants, about 1 in 2. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 428 of 885 applicants were admitted.
Does MCAD require the SAT or ACT?
Minneapolis College of Art and Design considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 3% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 16% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for MCAD?
The middle 50% of Minneapolis College of Art and Design enrolled first-year students scored 1130–1340 on the SAT and 21–29 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at MCAD?
39% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (169 of 428).
Is MCAD getting harder to get into?
Minneapolis College of Art and Design accepted 48% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 48% for Fall 2023.
Is MCAD the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Minneapolis College of Art and Design overview