Admit rate has ranged 62%–78% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D) is Portland’s scrappy, hands-on incubator for artists who thrive on interdisciplinary experimentation and Maine’s rugged creative energy. With a 74-77% acceptance rate, it’s accessible yet selective, funneling students into nationally ranked programs like graphic design while fostering a tight-knit community where 67% of graduates persist as working artists. The trade-off? Early-career earnings hover around $36K—typical for art schools—but 100% of students receive aid to offset the $35K net price.
Admission requirements
Test-blind — scores not considered
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
Demonstrated competencies
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
415
In-state tuition
$42,942
Out-of-state tuition
$42,942
Founded
1882 (oldest in Maine)
Top Majors
Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation
Financial Aid
100% of students receive aid
Acceptance Rate
74-77%
Professional Artists
67% of alumni
Median Earnings (1yr)
$36,427
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$40,778
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.1×
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
Graduation rate
52%
First-year retention
72%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
66%
Pell (lower-income) share
52%
First-generation share
24%
Endowment / student
$42,546
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Design and Applied Arts$24,808
Film/Video and Photographic Arts$23,456
Fine and Studio Arts$21,736
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
1
Per 1,000 students
2.41
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
96
Summer high
76°F
Winter low
21°F
Annual rain
50.5"
Annual snow
48.3"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Maine College of Art & Design?
Maine College of Art & Design's acceptance rate is approximately 76% (Portland, ME), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Maine College of Art & Design cost?
At Maine College of Art & Design, the average net price (after aid) is about $38,338 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Maine College of Art & Design?
Maine College of Art & Design enrolls approximately 415 undergraduate students.
Where is Maine College of Art & Design located?
Maine College of Art & Design is located in Portland, ME.
Admissions
MECA&D maintains a 74-77% acceptance rate, admitting roughly 760 of 994 applicants annually, per multiple sources. The process prioritizes portfolios over standardized tests (SAT/ACT ranges are not published, and TOEFL is accepted for international students). Applications require a pre-application form and emphasize artistic potential over GPA thresholds. Notably, all admitted students receive some financial aid, softening the sticker shock of a private art education.
Acceptance Rate: 74% (Niche) to 77.54% (College Board)
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Academics
MECA&D’s BFA program is a rigorous blend of studio practice and liberal arts, with graphic design and illustration frequently lauded by industry professionals (Facebook posts hint at national rankings). The curriculum stresses interdisciplinary experimentation, requiring foundational courses in visual language before specialization. Graduate programs, like the MFA, emphasize collaboration and problem-solving, with online/in-person hybrid options. Founded in 1882, it’s Maine’s oldest art institution, anchoring Portland’s creative scene with a LegacyAn applicant whose parent (or sometimes other close relative) attended the college. Some schools give a small edge to legacy applicants. of tactile, head-heart-hands pedagogy.
Top Majors: Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation (Niche)
Pedagogy: Structured sequencing with ‘public engagement’ components
Historic Edge: Oldest art school in Maine (Wikipedia)
Life at MECA&D orbits around Portland’s arts ecosystem and an inclusive, DIY campus culture. Orientation and student-led clubs (like the Instagram-hyped ‘My MECA Community’) foster connections, while the college actively promotes diversity and respect as core values. The vibe is collaborative but intense—students often work late in studios, bonding over critiques and Maine’s seasonal rhythms. Housing is limited, pushing many to explore Portland’s walkable neighborhoods, where galleries and coffee shops double as informal classrooms.
Community Focus: ‘Use your head, heart, & hands’ mantra (Student Life Directory)
Diversity: Institutional commitment to inclusive culture (About page)
Portland Integration: Proximity to galleries and creative industries (Instagram)
67% of alumni work as professional artists, with another 24% in design/illustration roles (MECA&D’s ‘By the Numbers’). Early earnings are modest—$36,427 median salary one year post-graduation (Niche), aligning with national arts-school trends. However, the program’s strength lies in persistence: 25% become art teachers, and 19% pursue MFAs. SNAAP data suggests earnings volatility is common, with mid-career artists (3+ years out) hitting $45K medians, though outliers thrive in niche fields like animation.
Career Paths: 67% artists, 24% designers, 25% teachers
Earnings: $36K (1yr), $24K (6yr per US News—likely outdated)
The average net price is $35,395/year after aid (MeetYourClass), with 100% of BFA students receiving scholarships or grants totaling $17.6M annually. Federal Pell Grants average $5,977, and state aid chips in $2,562. While the sticker price is steep, the financial aid office aggressively packages support—College Raptor notes full-time undergrads universally get aid, making MECA&D more accessible than elite art schools.
MECA&D is Maine’s artistic nerve center, marrying Portland’s gritty creative energy with a 140-year LegacyAn applicant whose parent (or sometimes other close relative) attended the college. Some schools give a small edge to legacy applicants. of training resilient, interdisciplinary artists. Unlike sprawling urban art schools, it offers intimacy—faculty know students by name, and alumni networks are fiercely loyal. The trade-offs are real (lower early earnings, harsh winters), but for artists who thrive on community and hands-on making, it’s a rare blend of accessibility and rigor. Plus, where else can you critique sculptures over lobster rolls?
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