Maine College of Art & Design
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.
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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, keeps admissions accessible, extending offers to roughly 76% of those who apply. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 50%.
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
When weighing the true cost of attending Maine College of Art & Design, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $42,942 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $38,338 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $31,589 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $27,000.
What Families Actually Pay
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; prospective students should weigh that figure against the program's cost when calculating return on investment.
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
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.
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
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.
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, keeps admissions accessible, extending offers to roughly 76% of those who apply. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Maine College of Art & Design? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +
When weighing the true cost of attending Maine College of Art & Design, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $42,942 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $38,338 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $31,589 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $27,000.
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; prospective students should weigh that figure against the program's cost when calculating return on investment.
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