Organizer Information
Cranbrook Academy of Art is a graduate-only institution in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, offering studio-based graduate education in art, architecture, craft, and design. The Academy offers the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Master of Architecture (MArch), with each program led by an Artist-in-Residence who mentors students throughout the two-year, full-time course of study.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Cranbrook Academy of Art
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Graduate
- Degrees Offered: MFA; MArch
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Craft, Design, Architecture
- Relevant Programs: Architecture, Ceramics, Fiber, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Metalsmithing, Painting, Photography, Print Media, Sculpture
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: 1 October 2026 – 1 February 2027
- Application Deadline: 1 February 2027
- Start of Studies: September 2027
- Application Fee: $25
- Tuition: $51,250 for the 2026–27 incoming class
- Funding: Scholarships and fellowships, including full-tuition opportunities
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- The MFA is offered through ten studio programs: Ceramics, Fiber, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Metalsmithing, Painting, Photography, Print Media, and Sculpture, with Architecture offered separately as the MArch program.
- For the MFA, applicants with a bachelor's degree outside the arts may be considered individually based on their portfolio and experience. For the MArch, applicants normally need a Bachelor of Architecture or equivalent undergraduate degree; applicants from other fields may also be considered individually based on portfolio and experience.
- The application requires a portfolio, and Cranbrook's programs encourage interdisciplinary work across artistic and design disciplines.
General Eligibility
- Applicants must hold the required bachelor's-level qualification from an accredited institution. The MFA requires a bachelor's degree; the MArch requires a Bachelor of Architecture or equivalent undergraduate degree. International applicants must hold the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree.
- International applicants whose degree is still in progress for Fall 2027 must complete the degree before matriculation in September 2027.
Language Requirements
- English proficiency is required. International applicants whose first language is not English must submit an official TOEFL or IELTS score. Cranbrook currently lists a minimum IELTS score of 7 and a TOEFL score of 4.5, noting that the TOEFL requirement was previously listed as 93 or above. The IELTS Academic test must be taken at a testing center; IELTS Online is not accepted.
- Exemptions may apply to applicants who are native English speakers from countries where English is the primary spoken language, or who meet Cranbrook's specified English-language degree or recent-study conditions.
Application Fee
| Applicant / Application Cycle | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Fall 2027 applicants | $25 |
The fee is collected through SlideRoom by credit or debit card, and Cranbrook states that application-fee waivers are not available.
Tuition
| Class Year | Tuition | Institutional Fees | Additional Health Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2028, 2026–27 incoming students | $51,250 | $1,960 | $2,446 for F-1 international students |
| Class of 2027, 2026–27 returning students | $49,250 | $2,010 | $2,446 for F-1 international students |
The published 2026–27 institutional fees include the student activity fee, lab/facility fee, and applicable matriculation or graduation fee. F-1 international students are required to purchase Cranbrook's health insurance. Tuition is billed by semester, with semester charges due by the first day of classes.
Funding & Financial Support
- Cranbrook considers admitted students for financial aid and scholarships. The Academy offers merit scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of institutional support, including up to 10 Gilbert Fellowships providing full tuition and mandatory-fee support. More than 80% of students receive some form of financial aid or scholarship support, according to Cranbrook.
- For international students, Cranbrook states that non-need-based aid may be available but that it cannot offer full funding to international students. Funded teaching assistantships are not available.
University Services & Academic Support
- Students have access to studio facilities, a library, central media lab, woodshop, fabrication facilities, and Cranbrook Art Museum. The Academy also provides professional-practice programming, career guidance, resume/CV and artist-statement assistance, grant-application writing support, and information about jobs and residencies.
- International students receive visa and SEVIS support, an international-student liaison, peer-advisor support, and assistance with Optional Practical Training applications.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- Statement of Purpose of 1,200 words or less
- CV or resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- Portfolio containing up to 20 examples of recent work
- Unofficial bachelor's transcript
- $25 application fee
- TOEFL or IELTS score for applicable international applicants
Portfolio submissions must include the title, date, materials, and dimensions for each work. Video works are recommended not to exceed three minutes per video, although this is not a mandatory limit.
Applicants seeking the Gilbert Fellowship must submit an additional writing sample responding to one of the provided prompts.
Some departments interview selected applicants, either on campus or virtually. Interviews are not required by every department; selected candidates are contacted directly when a department conducts interviews.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Application Opens: 1 October 2026
- Application Closes: 1 February 2027
- Gilbert Fellowship / Priority Scholarship Deadline: 1 February 2027
- Start of Studies: September 2027
Location
Cranbrook Academy of Art — Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA
Additional Details
Cranbrook is a graduate-only institution and does not offer bachelor's or associate degrees. The MFA and MArch are full-time, two-year programs. International students admitted for Fall 2027 must obtain a student visa and provide proof of funds for their first year while certifying their ability to fund the second year before Cranbrook can issue an I-20.
The currently published tuition schedule is for 2026–27; the official site has opened applications for Fall 2027 but does not currently publish a separate 2027–28 tuition schedule. The $51,250 figure above therefore should not be treated as the confirmed Fall 2027 tuition