Organizer Information
Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) is a public, independent art and design college in Boston, Massachusetts. The institution offers undergraduate BFA majors, graduate master's programs, postbaccalaureate programs, certificates, and continuing education across art, design, architecture, film/video, media, photography, art education, and related disciplines.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt)
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Postbaccalaureate / Certificate
- Degrees Offered: BFA / M.Arch / MAT / MA / MDes / MFA
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts / Film & Video / Animation / Photography / Design / Architecture / Art Education / Art History / Media / Illustration / Fashion / Sculpture / Ceramics / Fibers / Glass / Jewelry & Metalsmithing
- Relevant Programs: Film/Video BFA; MFA Film/Video; MFA Photography; MFA Studio Arts; MFA Fine Arts Low Residency; MFA Dynamic Media Institute; MDes Design Innovation; M.Arch; MAT Art Education; other BFA majors.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Varies by study level
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate Early Action 1 December; undergraduate priority 15 February; graduate priority 12 January
- Start of Studies: Fall; selected graduate programs also have summer starts
- Application Fee: $70 undergraduate / $90 graduate
- Tuition: Undergraduate out-of-state $31,020 tuition + $14,800 fees; graduate $945 per credit for most programs in 2026–2027.
- Funding: Merit scholarships, need-based aid, graduate scholarships and assistantships.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- MassArt's undergraduate offerings include Animation, Architecture, Art Education, Ceramics, Communication Design, Fashion Design, Fibers, Film/Video, Glass, History of Art, Illustration, Industrial Design, Jewelry & Metalsmithing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Studio for Interrelated Media.
- Graduate study includes M.Arch, MAT and MA programs in Art Education, MDes Design Innovation, MFA Dynamic Media Institute, MFA Film/Video, MFA Fine Arts Low Residency, MFA Photography, and MFA Studio Arts.
- Portfolio requirements depend on the applicant level and program. Undergraduate applicants submit a visual art portfolio; graduate programs have program-specific portfolio requirements. For example, MFA Film/Video applicants must submit time-based work.
General Eligibility
- International applicants may apply as first-time undergraduates, transfer students, or graduate students according to their previous education. Graduate applicants must have completed or be completing a four-year bachelor's degree.
- For first-time undergraduate admission, applicants must hold a high-school diploma or equivalent and meet MassArt's secondary-school academic requirements. MassArt recommends a 3.0 high-school GPA and does not admit applicants below a 2.3 GPA. SAT/ACT scores are not required.
- International applicants must provide additional documentation, including evaluated and translated non-U.S. academic records.
Language Requirements
- International applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. MassArt currently accepts TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, and Pearson Test of English scores.
- Minimum scores listed by MassArt include IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 105, and Pearson PTE 59. TOEFL minimums are also specified by section and total score on the international admissions page.
- MassArt lists exemptions for certain applicants, including students who completed a four-year bachelor's program at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction.
Application Fee
| Applicant Type | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| First-time undergraduate | $70 |
| Transfer undergraduate | $70 |
| Graduate / Postbaccalaureate | $90 |
Application-fee waivers are available under specified circumstances.
Tuition
| Study Level | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Massachusetts resident | $1,460 | Tuition + fees | $14,800 fees |
| Undergraduate | New England & New York* | $21,840 | Tuition + fees | $14,800 fees |
| Undergraduate | Out of state | $31,020 | Tuition + fees | $14,800 fees |
| Graduate | All residency categories | $945/credit | Per credit | Additional program/course fees may apply |
*New York residents entering as new undergraduate students from Fall 2026 receive the New England undergraduate tuition rate. Graduate tuition is the same regardless of residency for most programs.
Funding & Financial Support
- MassArt automatically reviews eligible applicants for merit scholarships. Merit scholarships are available to international undergraduate applicants. Graduate applicants are automatically reviewed for available graduate scholarships after admission.
- Graduate students can also apply for paid assistantships involving teaching, research, studio management, curatorial support, and administration. Current assistantships are generally paid at $18 per hour for approximately 3–10 hours per week, depending on the position.
- Federal financial aid is restricted to eligible U.S. citizens and noncitizens under applicable federal rules; international graduate students may pursue private student loans with an eligible U.S. co-signer.
University Services & Academic Support
MassArt provides academic tutoring, technology access, studios, labs and workshops, library resources, career development, internship support, study-abroad opportunities, and international student support. Graduate students also have access to faculty mentoring, critiques, exhibitions, and graduate gallery opportunities.
Application Requirements
- Undergraduate applicants must submit: Common App application, personal essay, official high-school transcript, 12–15 recent portfolio pieces, activity list, and English-proficiency documentation when applicable. A recommendation letter may be submitted, but MassArt describes it as something that can enhance the application rather than a universally mandatory item.
- Transfer applicants must submit: Common App application, personal essay, portfolio, appropriate high-school/secondary transcripts, college/postsecondary transcripts, and English-proficiency documentation when applicable.
- Graduate and postbaccalaureate applicants must submit: statement of purpose, résumé/CV, postsecondary transcripts, two recommendation letters, English-proficiency scores when required, and a portfolio. Program-specific requirements may add further materials.
- For MFA Film/Video, applicants must submit at least 3–5 time-based pieces totaling no more than 30 minutes of viewing, with additional portfolio guidance specified by MassArt.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Early Action — First-time Undergraduate: 1 December 2026
- Priority Application — First-time Undergraduate: 15 February 2027
- Priority Financial Aid — First-time Undergraduate: 1 March 2027
- Transfer Fall Priority Application: 1 March 2027
- Transfer Fall Priority Financial Aid: 1 April 2027
- Transfer Spring Admission: 15 October 2026
- Graduate Priority Application: 12 January 2027
- Graduate Internal Applicant Deadline: 15 September 2026
- International Graduate Programs with Summer Start — Recommended Tuition Deposit: 15 March 2027
- International Fall Programs — Recommended Tuition Deposit: 1 May 2027
- Graduate applications submitted after the priority deadline may be reviewed on a space-available basis through 1 March.
Location
Massachusetts College of Art and Design — Boston, United States
Additional Details
International students who require F-1 status must provide additional documentation for Form I-20 issuance. MassArt states that I-20 processing generally takes approximately 3–4 weeks after the tuition deposit and required documents are received.
For 2026–2027, MassArt's graduate tuition is charged per credit rather than as a single universal annual tuition amount, so total tuition depends on the program's credit requirements.