Organizer Information
Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD) is a private, nonprofit four-year college specializing in visual art and design education. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, MIAD offers Bachelor of Fine Arts education across studio and design disciplines and is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and accredited as an institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD)
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate
- Degrees Offered: BFA
- Academic Fields: Fine Art, Illustration, Animation, Communication Design, Fashion & Apparel Design, Interior Architecture & Design, Product Design
- Relevant Programs: Communication Design; Fashion and Apparel Design; Fine Art + New Studio Practice; Illustration; Illustration — Animation Track; Interior Architecture and Design; Product Design
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Ongoing; Fall 2027 and Spring 2027 applications are currently offered
- Application Deadline: 1 December 2026 early application; 15 February regular fall-entry deadline
- Start of Studies: January 2027 or Fall 2027, depending on intake
- Application Fee: $0 for online applications
- Tuition: $44,880 per academic year for 2026–27
- Funding: Merit scholarships and financial aid available
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- MIAD's undergraduate curriculum covers visual art and design disciplines including Communication Design, Fashion and Apparel Design, Fine Art + New Studio Practice, Illustration, Illustration with an Animation Track, Interior Architecture and Design, and Product Design. The college also offers minors and interdisciplinary academic options, including Arts Management, Art Education, Book Arts, Digital Media Production, Furniture Design, Games and Interactive Media, Art History, Business, Sustainability and other areas.
- A portfolio is a central component of admission to MIAD's degree-seeking programs.
General Eligibility
- MIAD accepts international applicants for its degree programs. International applicants must meet the requirements applicable to degree-seeking students in addition to international-student requirements.
- For first-year admission, applicants submit secondary-school records; applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree submit the final transcript from the college where the degree was earned instead of a high-school transcript. Transfer applicants may apply with previous college coursework, and MIAD requires transfer students to complete at least 30 credits at MIAD to earn its BFA.
Educational Background
- First-year applicants must submit official high-school/secondary-school transcripts or an equivalent GED report. Applicants with a bachelor's degree submit a final transcript from the institution where the degree was awarded. Transfer applicants submit official records from their post-secondary institutions.
- No professional-experience requirement is stated on MIAD's current general degree-admission materials.
Language Requirements
- International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through a TOEFL score of at least 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, or 79 internet-based. MIAD also accepts ELS certification for admission.
- International applicants must have all post-secondary transcripts translated into English and evaluated by a certified organization at their own expense.
Application Fee
| Applicant Type | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Online applicants | $0 |
MIAD states that there is no fee for online applications.
Tuition
| Study Level | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, 2026–27 | $44,880 | $22,440 per semester; $1,496 per credit during the academic year | $850 major fee/year; $390 student services fee/year; $510 technology and software fee/year |
| First-year students, 2026–27 | $44,880 | $22,440 per semester | Additional FYE Core Kit and course/kit fees apply |
MIAD lists the 2026–27 undergraduate tuition at $44,880 per academic year for fall and spring. First-year students also have a $105 FYE Core Kit charge, a $185 FYE 100 course/kit fee, and a $105 FYE 110 course/kit fee when those courses are taken.
Part-time students taking fewer than 12 credits are charged $1,496 per credit, with other fees prorated according to credit load.
Funding & Financial Support
- MIAD states that every full-time student receives a merit scholarship and that 100% of admitted full-time students receive scholarship funds. MIAD also provides financial-aid resources and encourages students to complete the FAFSA. The institution reports awarding approximately $18 million in scholarships annually.
- International eligibility for specific U.S. federal financial-aid programs is not established by the cited MIAD sources; applicants should distinguish institutional scholarships from federal aid.
University Services & Academic Support
- MIAD provides academic advising, tutoring, English-language support, accessibility services, library resources, specialized studios and labs, and international-student advising. Facilities include photography, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, 3-D, digital and emerging-technology resources, individual studios and galleries.
- Career Services provides career advising, résumé and application support, interview preparation, employer networking, internships, freelance opportunities, exhibitions and graduate-school guidance.
- International Programs & Services provides advising concerning immigration regulations, cross-cultural matters and international-student needs.
Application Requirements
Degree-seeking applicants must submit:
- Completed online application
- Official secondary-school and/or post-secondary transcripts, as applicable
- Portfolio
- Optional essay or artist/designer statement
For international applicants, additional requirements include:
- TOEFL score meeting MIAD's stated minimum or ELS certification
- English translation and certified evaluation of post-secondary transcripts
- Verification of Finances Form
- International-student interview
MIAD's international admissions information states that interviews may be conducted in person, by phone, or in some circumstances by email.
How to Apply?
- Undergraduate Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Early Application Deadline: 1 December 2026
- Regular Fall Application Deadline: 15 February 2027
- FAFSA Opens for 2027–28 Applicants: 1 October 2026
- Tuition Deposit Deadline: 1 May 2027
- Spring 2027 Semester Begins: 11 January 2027
Location
Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design — Milwaukee, United States
Additional Details
MIAD's current application portal distinguishes between Fall 2027 first-year applicants, Fall 2027 transfer/non-traditional applicants and Spring 2027 applicants, with different application systems.
International applicants must provide proof of financial resources through MIAD's Verification of Finances process. MIAD states that a notarized statement of available funds is required, and international students must submit a non-refundable tuition deposit after admission before MIAD issues the I-20.