Your chances of getting into Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at MCAD is 48.4%. Its admission rate is the 3rd 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, 428 out of the 885 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. 39% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into MCAD?
48% 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.
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 1270 on the SAT
- Score 22 on the ACT
MCAD GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
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.
Even with a competitive GPA, admission to MCAD will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.
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.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
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. 3% of students submitted SAT scores and 16% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 570 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 540 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 1110 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 750 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 680 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1430 |
| Average SAT Score | 1270
|
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 1270 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1110-1430. Students who get into Minneapolis College of Art and Design score in the top 39 percent of all SAT test takers.. MCAD ranks #9 in the state of Minnesota and #239 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1270 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. MCAD regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1110 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1110, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 950, 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 1270 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting classChance 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 1270, you have around a 48% chance of being admitted. A 1430 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 64% chance of getting in.
MCAD ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 20 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 16 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 20 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 25 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 22 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 24 |
| Average ACT Score | 22
|
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 22, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 20 and 24. The school ranks #18 in Minnesota for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 22. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 20 and score in the score in the top 49 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.
16 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 2023 starting classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into MCAD for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 22 score has around 48% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 64% with a 24 ACT score.
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 619 | 217 | 885 |
| Accepted | 324 | 104 | 428 |
| Acceptance Rate | 52% | 48% | 48% |
| Enrolled | 118 | 51 | 169 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 36% | 49% | 39% |
Fall 2025 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
Applicants have 10 days left until the Fall 2025 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?
| 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
| 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 1270 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1430 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 22 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, 2025