Student Body | Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Student Body

A Community of
Equal Opportunities
and Inclusivity

Students at the back to school BBQ

Each MCAD student is welcomed as a unique, valued individual, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, or marital status. Following its Guiding Principles, MCAD provides equal opportunity in educational programs, employment, and campus life. Discrimination or harassment of any kind is not tolerated. Information about Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Accessibility can be found here

The following information covers the self-reported makeup of the roughly 800 students in MCAD’s degree-granting programs. 

  • Students come from 40 states and 13 countries. 
  • 4% of students are international. 
  • 2% of students are studying with a military benefit. 
  • 97% of students receive some form of scholarship financial aid. 
  • 40% of undergraduate students receive the Pell Grant. 
  • 24% of undergraduate students are transfers from another college. 
  • 24% of incoming undergraduate students are the first in their families to attend college. 
  • 43% of declared students are studying a major in Design; 18% are studying a major in Fine Arts; 32% are studying a major in Media Arts; and 7% are studying a major in Arts Entrepreneurship.
Race/Ethnicity
Black/African American 7%
American Indian/Alaskan Native 2%
Asian American 9%
Hispanic/Latino 9%
White/Caucasian 62%
Other/Unknown 4%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander >1%
Two or more races 2%
Non-Resident Alien 4%

Categories come from the National Center for Education Statistics.

Gender Identity
Female 64%
Male 30%
Nonbinary 6%