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Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Boston, Massachusetts 02115-5882

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitUrban

Public urban college in Boston

Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a public urban institution in Boston, Massachusetts. The school is accessible to a wide range of students.

A small campus of 1.8K undergraduates with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

69% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $43,582 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $23,764.

Established
1873
Mascot
Mastodon
Type
Public art school

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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Admission Office

621 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115

617-879-7222[email protected]
77%Acceptance
SAT Avg
1,812Students
9:1Student:Faculty
69%Grad Rate
$43,582Earnings 10yr
$23,764Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate77.5%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions

Test-RequiredTracks InterestOn-Campus Interviews

Application Platforms

Common Application

Early Action

December 1

Regular Decision

February 1

Financial Aid

Merit Scholarships

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$14,960
Tuition (out-of-state)$42,180
Room & Board$18,000
Books & Supplies$2,000
Total Cost of Attendance$32,256
Average Net Price$23,764
Median Debt at Graduation$25,755
Monthly Payment (10yr)$273

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$14,993
$30–48K$15,162
$48–75K$21,708
$75–110K$27,239
$110K+$31,058

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

49.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

14

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

4

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

4

Drug Arrests

3

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Academics

Semester
Majors
22
Avg class size
15
Student-faculty ratio
9:1

Programs (21)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

84%

Mixed

Campus Life

No varsity athleticsNo Greek Life

Housing & Residential Life

First-year students

Housing Styles

Artist residence hallsApartments

Dining

Student Body

Undergrads
1,812
Gender Split
75% / 25%
Women / Men
First Generation
23%
Pell Grant Recipients
28%

Race & Ethnicity

White 55%
Black 4%
Hispanic 14%
Asian 7%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 4%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate69.2%
Freshman Retention84.0%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$27,090
10 Years$43,582

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • During the school's first decade, the state rented space for it in several locations, including Boston's Pemberton Square, School Street, and the Deacon House mansion on Washington Street.
  • In 1886, the state built the school's first building at the corner of Exeter and Newbury streets.
  • In 1929 the school was moved to its second built campus at Longwood and Brookline avenues.
  • 2016: The Design Innovation program is founded with the launch of the Master of Design, Innovation 2017: David P.
  • 2020: Nelson steps down as president and Kymberly Pinder becomes acting president.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

152Very High

Estimated from MA state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675K
3 mi(5 min)
New Yorkpop. 8.3M
188 mi(326 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
268 mi(465 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

BOS Boston Logan5 mi
MHT Manchester-Boston45 mi
PVD Providence TF Green46 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA3 mi · ~5 min drive
New York, NY188 mi · ~5h 26m drive
Hartford, CT90 mi · ~2h 36m drive
Providence, RI39 mi · ~1h 8m drive
Albany, NY137 mi · ~3h 57m drive
Syracuse, NY261 mi · ~7h 32m drive
Rochester, NY335 mi · ~9h 41m drive
Buffalo, NY397 mi · ~11h 28m drive
Philadelphia, PA268 mi · ~7h 45m drive
Pittsburgh, PA479 mi · ~13h 50m drive
Harrisburg, PA332 mi · ~9h 35m drive
Newark, NJ194 mi · ~5h 36m drive
Trenton, NJ239 mi · ~6h 54m drive
Central (cold winters, warm summers)

Nearby Attractions

Museum of Fine Artswalkable

World-class art museum with free admission for MassArt students

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museumwalkable

Stunning museum in a Venetian-style palace

Fenway Parkwalkable

Historic home of the Boston Red Sox

Back Bay Fenswalkable

Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park with gardens and paths

Symphony Hallwalkable

Home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

Transfer Admission

Minimum credits
12 semester hours

International Students

Massachusetts College of Art and Design Application Checklist

Decision Notifications