Organizer Information
Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) is a private art and design college in Minneapolis, Minnesota, offering undergraduate and graduate education in fine arts, design, media arts, creative entrepreneurship, and related disciplines. Its current degree-granting offerings include BFA and BS undergraduate programs, one on-campus MFA program, and three online MA programs.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD)
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate
- Degrees Offered: BFA / BS / MFA / MA
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts / Animation / Comic Art / Creative Writing / Graphic Design / Illustration / Media Arts / Filmmaking / Photography / Product & Furniture Design / Creative Entrepreneurship / Graphic & Web Design / Sustainable Design / Creative Leadership
- Relevant Programs: BFA in Animation, Comic Art, Creative Writing, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, Media Arts, Product and Furniture Design; BS in Creative Entrepreneurship; MFA; MA in Creative Leadership; MA in Graphic and Web Design; MA in Sustainable Design.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Varies by program and intake
- Application Deadline: Varies by program and intake
- Start of Studies: Fall and spring for undergraduate programs; program-specific for graduate programs
- Application Fee: $50
- Tuition: From $48,090 per year for undergraduate study; graduate tuition varies by program.
- Funding: Scholarships and financial aid are available; eligibility varies by program and applicant status.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- MCAD's undergraduate BFA majors cover Animation, Comic Art, Creative Writing, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, Media Arts, and Product and Furniture Design. Media Arts includes Art and Technology, Filmmaking, and Photography. Its BS is in Creative Entrepreneurship.
- Graduate study includes the interdisciplinary MFA and three online MA programs: Creative Leadership, Graphic and Web Design, and Sustainable Design.
- For BFA applicants, MCAD accepts work across varied media in the portfolio. BS applicants do not require an artwork portfolio, although visual documentation related to the personal-statement project may be submitted.
General Eligibility
- Undergraduate applicants may apply as first-year or transfer applicants. First-year applicants are students currently in high school or who graduated from high school without subsequently enrolling in college; transfer applicants have completed high school or a GED and enrolled in college or university afterward.
Educational Background
- Graduate applicants must hold an undergraduate degree before enrollment. The MFA and MA programs have program-specific application requirements.
- International applicants must additionally provide official English translations of transcripts, proof of citizenship, and other immigration-related documentation. Student-visa applicants must provide financial certification covering at least one year of tuition, housing, and expenses; this requirement does not apply to online-only master's programs.
Language Requirements
International applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency through an accepted test. MCAD currently lists minimum scores of IELTS 6.5, Duolingo English Test 120, Michigan English Test B2 with a minimum score of 57, and TOEFL iBT requirements that differ according to the test date. ECCE and ECPE are also accepted without a stated minimum score.
Application Fee
| Applicant / Program | Application Fee | Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $50, nonrefundable | May be waived in cases of financial hardship |
| MFA | $50 | — |
| MA programs | $50 | — |
The undergraduate application page explicitly states that the $50 fee may be waived for applicants experiencing financial hardship.
Tuition
| Study Level / Program | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory / Stated Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate BFA/BS | Students | $24,045 per semester / $48,090 per year | Per semester | Student Experience Fee $200/semester; Technology Fee $200/semester |
| MFA | Students | $24,045 per semester / $48,090 per year | Per semester | Student Experience Fee $200; Technology Fee $200 |
| MA Graphic & Web Design | Students | $1,015 per credit; $6,090 for 6 credits | Per credit / semester | Technology Fee $200/semester |
| MA Sustainable Design | Students | $1,015 per credit; $6,090 for 6 credits | Per credit / semester | Technology Fee $200/semester |
| MA Creative Leadership | Students | $1,072 per credit; $30,986 total program tuition | Per credit / program | Technology Fee $200/semester; required board during residencies |
MCAD's 2026/27 undergraduate and MFA tuition is $24,045 per semester for 12–18 credits. The MA Graphic and Web Design and Sustainable Design programs use a guaranteed tuition rate of $1,015 per credit, while Creative Leadership uses $1,072 per credit.
Undergraduate students also have stated textbook/course/supply estimates of $750 per semester, a required MacBook purchase of $2,000 for new students, and housing and meal-plan charges where applicable. MFA students have estimated textbooks, course fees, and supplies of $750 per semester.
Funding & Financial Support
- MCAD offers scholarships, grants, loans, and other financial-aid opportunities, with eligibility varying by program. Graduate students may also have access to graduate assistantships; these require enrollment in at least nine credits and provide compensation or expense-offsetting support in exchange for work.
- International students do not qualify for U.S. federal financial aid. International eligibility for other forms of aid varies by program. MCAD specifically notes that residential bachelor's and MFA students may receive scholarships, loans, and grants based on talent and financial need, while international students in online MA programs are not eligible for federal financial aid.
University Services & Academic Support
MCAD provides admissions counseling and portfolio-review support. Graduate education includes mentor-based and interdisciplinary work in the MFA, while the MA programs provide online instruction and, for Creative Leadership, required Minneapolis residencies. International students receive dedicated admissions guidance and support concerning English proficiency, documentation, financial certification, and student-visa requirements.
Application Requirements
- Undergraduate applicants must submit an application form, official transcripts, one letter of recommendation, and a written statement. ACT/SAT scores and an academic writing sample are optional. BFA applicants must submit a portfolio; BS applicants do not require an artwork portfolio.
- MFA applicants must submit official college transcripts, a personal statement, résumé, introductory video, website/portfolio URL, and a portfolio of 20 works. Up to two letters of recommendation are optional. Film/video applicants whose work exceeds 15 minutes must also provide a three-minute sample.
- MA in Graphic and Web Design applicants must submit transcripts, résumé, personal statements, an introductory video, and a portfolio of 10 pieces. Up to two recommendation letters are optional. An interview may be requested after review.
- MA in Creative Leadership applicants must submit transcripts, résumé, personal statements, and an introductory video. Up to two recommendation letters are optional; an interview may be requested.
- MA in Sustainable Design applicants have program-specific statement, résumé, video, and admissions requirements; recommendation letters are optional and an interview may be requested. Portfolio requirements differ from other MCAD programs.
- International applicants must additionally submit English translations of transcripts and proof of citizenship/passport documentation.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Undergraduate Fall Early Action: 1 December 2026
- Undergraduate Fall Priority: 15 February 2027
- Undergraduate Fall Regular Decision: 1 April 2027
- Undergraduate Spring Early Action: 1 October 2026
- Undergraduate Spring Priority: 1 November 2026
- Undergraduate Spring Regular Decision: 1 December 2026
- MFA Fall Regular Decision: 1 February 2027
- MA Creative Leadership Early Action: 1 December 2026
- MA Creative Leadership Priority: 1 February 2027
- MA Creative Leadership Regular: 1 March 2027
- MA Graphic and Web Design Fall Early Action: 1 February
- MA Graphic and Web Design Fall Priority: 1 April 2027
- MA Graphic and Web Design Fall Regular: 1 June 2027
- MA Graphic and Web Design Spring Early Action: 1 October 2026
- MA Graphic and Web Design Spring Priority: 1 November 2026
- MA Graphic and Web Design Spring Regular: 1 December 2026
- MA Sustainable Design Fall Early Action: 1 February 2027
- MA Sustainable Design Fall Priority: 1 April 2027
- MA Sustainable Design Fall Regular: 1 June 2027
- MA Sustainable Design Spring Early Action: 1 October 2026
- MA Sustainable Design Spring Priority: 1 November 2026
- MA Sustainable Design Spring Regular: 1 December 2026
Location
Minneapolis College of Art and Design — Minneapolis, United States
Additional Details
- MCAD distinguishes clearly between its residential and online graduate offerings. The MFA is an on-campus program, while the three MA programs are online; Creative Leadership includes two required week-long Minneapolis residencies. International students pursuing online-only master's programs do not require the student-visa financial certification applicable to students attending in person.
- MCAD's admissions pages currently present undergraduate deadlines without an explicit year. The dates above therefore preserve the institution's published deadline information rather than assigning an unsupported calendar year. Program-specific graduate deadlines likewise follow the dates currently published by MCAD.