Minneapolis College of Art and Design campus

MCAD Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Minneapolis, MN
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MCAD Admission Overview

MCAD admission requirements are competitive. Last year MCAD admitted 48.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.29 GPA (B+) and SAT 1130-1340 / ACT 21-29. MCAD is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

MCAD is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

MCAD Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

48.5%

Admission Standards

Difficult

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The MCAD acceptance rate is 48.5%. Last year, 414 of 854 applicants were admitted. That is the 5th lowest acceptance rate in Minnesota.

Admission Selectivity

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

MCAD is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Minneapolis College of Art and Design typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.29. 39% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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MCAD GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.29

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.29

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at MCAD typically have around a 3.29 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. MCAD is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #25 in Minnesota for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Minneapolis College of Art and Design freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

MCAD SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1130-1340

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 600
Math 530
Composite 1130

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 710
Math 630
Composite 1340

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at MCAD typically score around a 1240 SAT (middle 50% 1130–1340) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 81st percentile nationally. MCAD ranks #11 in the state of Minnesota for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1130 to 1340

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

MCAD is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1240 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Minneapolis College of Art and Design
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1340+	Above 75th	>64%
1240 to 1340	Avg +	49%-64%
1130 to 1240	Avg -	33%-49%
Below 1130	Below mid-50	<33%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

MCAD ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

21-29

Freshmen reporting ACT

21%

25th Percentile Scores

English 20
Math 17
Composite 21

75th Percentile Scores

English 29
Math 26
Composite 29

Average ACT

Incoming testers at MCAD typically have around a 25 ACT (mid-50 21–29) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 78th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. MCAD places #7 among colleges in Minnesota for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 21 to 29

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to MCAD without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 25.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

See my Chances for Admission

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Minneapolis College of Art and Design
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
29+	Above 75th	>64%
25 to 29	Avg +	48%-64%
21 to 25	Avg -	33%-48%
Below 21	Below mid-50	<33%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the MCAD chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Minneapolis College of Art and Design admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	614	209	854
Accepted	321	93	414
Acceptance Rate	52%	44%	48%
Enrolled	117	44	161
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	36%	47%	39%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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
Requirement	Used for Admission
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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Apr 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

192

Applicants have 192 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Apr 1, 2027.

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

MCAD is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 48.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.29 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1130-1340); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025