Maine College of Art & Design
- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $40,778 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $38,338 F
- 124% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 76% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A D+ overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 12.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.1 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $12.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,707,578.
What The Data Says
-
A D+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Every $1 invested returns $12.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Maine College of Art & Design
Maine College of Art & Design is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Special-Focus Institution
- Carnegie Class
- Special Focus
- Enrollment
- 415
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Maine College of Art & Design
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 76% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $38,338 a year after grants and scholarships — 124% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $40,778 ten years after enrolling — 0% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
Maine College of Art & Design is a creative haven for those passionate about the visual and performing arts. With an enrollment of just 415 students and a 76% acceptance rate, it feels intimate and accessible. Students here dive into programs that hone their artistic skills and foster creativity, preparing them for a variety of careers in fields like design, painting, and theater.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $40,778 within ten years, which is decent for those entering the arts sector. While the graduation rate sits at 50%, it reflects a challenging but rewarding journey for art students. Many graduates find their niche and build fulfilling careers, although specific mobility data isn't available. It's essential to weigh the potential earnings against the net price of attendance, which is $38,338 after aid.
When it comes to financials, the median debt upon graduation is $27,000, which is manageable for many young professionals, especially in creative fields. The 29% Pell Grant rate indicates that some students do receive financial assistance, making this a more affordable option for those from lower-income backgrounds. Typically, students who thrive here are those who are deeply passionate about their craft and are willing to put in the effort to navigate the challenges of an arts-focused education.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Maine College of Art & Design is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Maine College of Art & Design? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Maine College of Art & Design, located in Portland, Maine, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 76%. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 76%
- Retention Rate
- 72%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 32%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,529
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 8:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.39
- First-Gen Students
- 24%
- Applicants
- 649
- Admitted
- 480
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Maine College of Art & Design? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Maine College of Art & Design is $42,942, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $38,338. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $31,589 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $42,942
- Out-of-State
- $42,942
- Avg Net Price
- $38,338
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 29%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 69%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $31,589
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $33,075
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $35,283
- Family Income $110K+
- $42,001
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Maine College of Art & Design Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Maine College of Art & Design report median earnings of $40,778, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $24,333
- 8 Years
- $32,039
- 10 Years
- $40,778
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.66x
- Earning > $25K
- 35%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (56)
- 47%
- 100% (56)
- 47%
- 100% (56)
- 47%
- 100% (56)
- 47%
How Maine Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Maine College of Art & Design Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Maine College of Art & Design delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $38,338/year ($153,352 total). Graduates earn $40,778 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,860,930 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,707,578 (12.1× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 50% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $153,352
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,860,930
- Net Return
- $1,707,578
- ROI Multiple
- 12.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $38,338
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,985,321
- Investment Income
- $-2,227,867
Top Programs
The fields Maine College of Art & Design awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Maine College of Art & Design's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- C-Art Director$105,180 · 5% growthAdaptable 60
- C-Animator$86,120 · 3% growthAdaptable 60
- D+Fashion Designer$79,600 · 1% growthAdaptable 60
- D+Interior Designer$62,510 · 4% growthAdaptable 60
- C-Museum Curator$59,880 · 8% growthAdaptable 60
- D+Graphic Designer$58,910 · 3% growthVulnerable 48
- D+Photographer$40,760 · 4% growthAdaptable 60
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Maine College of Art & Design? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Maine College of Art & Design, located in Portland, Maine, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 76%. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Maine College of Art & Design? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Maine College of Art & Design is $42,942, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $38,338. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $31,589 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Maine College of Art & Design Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Maine College of Art & Design report median earnings of $40,778, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Maine College of Art & Design.
- Hannibal-LaGrange UniversityHannibal, MO · Close peer47% grad $42,643 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Stephens CollegeColumbia, MO · Close peer45% grad $43,071 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Pacific Northwest College of ArtPortland, OR · Close peer36% grad $34,883 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
- University of Valley ForgePhoenixville, PA · Close peer52% grad $39,016 earn 61% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Mitchell CollegeNew London, CT · Close peer43% grad $39,115 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Albizu University-MiamiMiami, FL · Close peer48% grad $41,544 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
