Organizer Information
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) is a private art and design college in Lakewood, Colorado, offering on-campus and online education across disciplines including animation, art education, fashion design, fine arts, game art, graphic design, illustration, illustrative design, interior design, photography, and online music production. RMCAD also offers a Digital Photography certificate.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate; Certificate
- Degrees Offered: BFA; Certificate
- Academic Fields: Animation, Art Education, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Game Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Illustrative Design, Interior Design, Photography, Music Production
- Relevant Programs: On-campus and online BFA programs; Online BFA in Music Production is currently listed for returning students only; Digital Photography Certificate
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Rolling admissions / year-round term starts
- Application Deadline: No single institutional deadline; applications are processed for individual terms
- Start of Studies: Multiple terms throughout the year
- Application Fee: $0 on current admissions/tuition pages; institutional consumer information states $50
- Tuition: From $850 per credit; Fashion Design BFA $875 per credit from Fall A 2026
- Funding: Scholarships, grants and other financial aid available
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- RMCAD focuses on art, design, media and related creative disciplines. Current offerings include Animation, Art Education, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Game Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Illustrative Design, Interior Design and Photography on campus, with additional online programs including Music Production.
- Applicants are not required to submit a portfolio for admission. A portfolio can be submitted for scholarship consideration and, for transfer students, may be used in evaluating certain transfer credits.
General Eligibility
- RMCAD accepts first-time students and transfer applicants. Applicants to its undergraduate programs must have a high school diploma or equivalent; transfer applicants may have previous post-secondary coursework evaluated for transfer credit.
- International applicants are eligible. For international students, academic credentials must be evaluated by a current NACES-member credential evaluation service. High-school credentials require a General Report with GPA, while college transcripts require a Course-by-Course Evaluation.
- International students seeking an F-1 student visa must attend an on-campus program full time. Online students do not qualify for an RMCAD student visa. International students also need a valid passport and a Verification of Finance Form for the I-20 process.
Language Requirements
All RMCAD courses are taught in English and the college does not offer ESL classes. International applicants may be required to provide acceptable TOEFL scores or another accepted proof of English proficiency, including successful completion of a college-level English Composition course or an equivalent ESL course.
Application Fee
| Applicant / Application Type | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Current admissions and tuition pages | $0 |
| Student Consumer Information | $50 non-refundable |
RMCAD's current tuition and admissions pages prominently state “No Application Fee,” while its Student Consumer Information page still states that a $50 non-refundable application fee is required. Applicants should verify the amount displayed in the application system before submission.
Tuition
| Study Level / Program | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most undergraduate programs | On-campus and online | $850/credit | Per credit; 12-credit semester = $10,200 | Semester/equipment fees included from Fall A 2026 |
| Fashion Design BFA | On-campus and online | $875/credit | Per credit; 12-credit semester = $10,500 | Included from Fall A 2026 |
- RMCAD states that these tuition rates are the same for in-state and out-of-state students. The college lists $20,400 as the academic-year tuition for a full-time student taking 12 credits per semester at the $850 rate, and $21,000 for Fashion Design at the $875 rate. RMCAD also states that students can attend year-round across three semesters.
- Books, supplies and program-related technology may require additional student expenditure. Tuition rates are locked at the student's initial start date for the duration of enrollment in the program.
Funding & Financial Support
- RMCAD offers institutional scholarships and financial aid for eligible students. Current opportunities include the Academic Achievement Scholarship, Artistic Aptitude Scholarship, Bridge Scholarship, Presidential Scholarships, National Portfolio Day Scholarship and transfer-related awards. Award amounts and eligibility conditions vary by scholarship.
- The Academic Achievement Scholarship provides $450 per semester for full-time students meeting its GPA requirements. The Artistic Aptitude Scholarship also provides $450 per semester for eligible full-time students and requires a qualifying portfolio and artist statement.
- RMCAD states that international students can apply for scholarships and other financial aid options. Federal financial aid, however, is subject to federal eligibility rules, including citizenship or eligible non-citizen status.
University Services & Academic Support
Students have access to academic advising, tutoring and mentoring through the Student Learning Center, library and digital research resources, technical support, accessibility services and career support. Career + Alumni Services provides resume and interview assistance, professional-development resources, internships, networking opportunities and an employment/internship portal.
Application Requirements
- Applicants should complete an Artist Meeting with an RMCAD Admissions Representative and submit an admissions application. First-time undergraduate applicants must provide the required high-school documentation; transfer applicants must submit official college transcripts for transfer-credit review.
- A portfolio is not required for admission. It is used for scholarship consideration and may be relevant to transfer-credit evaluation. Applicants submitting a portfolio for scholarship consideration follow RMCAD's SlideRoom requirements and submit a statement of intent.
- International applicants must also provide evaluated academic credentials and may need to provide English-language proficiency documentation. International students seeking an I-20 must provide the required financial documentation and passport information.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Fall A 2026 Start: 31 August 2026
- Fall B 2026 Start: 26 October 2026
- Spring A 2027 Start: 4 January 2027
- Spring B 2027 Start: 1 March 2027
- Summer A 2027 Start: 3 May 2027
- Summer B 2027 Start: 28 June 2027
RMCAD's current academic calendar confirms the 2026–2027 term start dates above. Its official catalog describes the admissions model as rolling, with applications reviewed upon receipt.
Location
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design — Lakewood, United States
Additional Details
RMCAD currently lists both on-campus and online programs. The Online BFA in Music Production is specifically marked “Returning students only,” so prospective new students should not assume that this program is currently open to new applicants.
There is also a current discrepancy concerning the application fee: the admissions and tuition pages advertise no application fee, while the Student Consumer Information page states a $50 non-refundable fee. This should be confirmed in the live application portal before submission.