M
Private 4 Year

MCAD Admission Requirements

Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Your chances of getting into Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

56.9%
Admission Difficulty for Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at MCAD is 56.9%.  Its admission rate is the 5th lowest in Minnesota.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into MCAD and can you get accepted?

MCAD is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 380 out of the 668 who applied were admitted.

Minneapolis College of Art and Design typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.29. 42% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into MCAD?

57% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Minneapolis College of Art and Design you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.29 or better
  • Earn B grades in high school
  • Score 1280 on the SAT
  • Score 23 on the ACT

MCAD GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.29

Typical High School Grades 

B

What GPA do you need to get into Minneapolis College of Art and Design?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into MCAD are to have around a 3.29 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as MCAD accepts 57% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at MCAD is 3.29 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B letter grades and regularly score around 83-86 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #25 in Minnesota for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since MCAD is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Minneapolis College of Art and Design students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 5.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 14.0% Good
3.50 to 3.74 28.0% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 13.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 18.0% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 15.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 6.0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 1.0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

MCAD SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Minneapolis College of Art and Design. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 4% of students submitted SAT scores and 14% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1170-1380

Applicants Submitting SAT 

4%
SAT Scores for Minneapolis College of Art and Design
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 600
Math 25th Percentile 570
Composite 25th Percentile 1170
SAT Scores for Minneapolis College of Art and Design
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 730
Math 75th Percentile 650
Composite 75th Percentile 1380
Average SAT Score 1280

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Minneapolis College of Art and Design?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at MCAD is 1280 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1170-1380. Students who get into Minneapolis College of Art and Design score in the top 29 percent of all SAT test takers..  MCAD ranks #8 in the state of Minnesota and #224 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1280 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. MCAD regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1170 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1170, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1060, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1280 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1275, you have around a 57% chance of being admitted. A 1380 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 72% chance of getting in.

Minneapolis College of Art and Design admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1380 and Above Good >72%
1275 to 1380 Avg + 57%-72%
1170 to 1275 Avg - 41%-57%
1065 to 1170 Reach 27%-41%
Less than 1065 Low <27%
Calculate My Chances 

MCAD ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

19-27 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

14%
ACT Scores for Minneapolis College of Art and Design
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 19
Math 25th Percentile 16
Composite 25th Percentile 19
ACT Scores for Minneapolis College of Art and Design
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 31
Math 75th Percentile 25
Composite 75th Percentile 27
Average ACT Score 23

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into MCAD?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to MCAD is 23, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 19 and 27.  The school ranks #14 in Minnesota for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 23. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 19 and score in the score in the top 56 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 15.

14 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Minneapolis College of Art and Design is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into MCAD for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 23 score has around 57% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 72% with a 27 ACT score.

Minneapolis College of Art and Design admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
27 and Above Good >72%
23 to 27 Avg + 57%-72%
19 to 23 Avg - 41%-57%
15 to 19 Reach 27%-41%
Less than 15 Low <27%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Minneapolis College of Art and Design admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 480 157 668
Accepted 298 82 380
Acceptance Rate 62% 52% 57%
Enrolled 121 39 160
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 41% 48% 42%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Apr 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

131

Applicants have 131 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Apr 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Minneapolis College of Art and Design is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Minneapolis College of Art and Design and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Minneapolis College of Art and Design Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Required to be considered for admission

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Minneapolis College of Art and Design
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because MCAD is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.29 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1280 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1380 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 23 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Minneapolis College of Art and Design often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=174127 IPEDS survey data for Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Last updated February 24, 2024