MassArt vs Art Center College of Design
Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) and Art Center College of Design (ArtCenter) stand out as premier institutions for aspiring artists and designers. While both offer a vibrant creative environment and a strong focus on artistic excellence, they differ in several key aspects. MassArt, located in the heart of Boston, boasts a higher acceptance rate and a larger student body, providing a diverse and inclusive learning community. ArtCenter, situated in Pasadena, California, has a more selective admissions process and a smaller student population, fostering a close-knit and collaborative atmosphere. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details on acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your unique aspirations and goals.
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![]() Art Center College of Design |
![]() Massachusetts College of Art and Design |
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Overview |
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Location | Pasadena, California | Boston, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 85.0% | 86.0% |
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No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 75.6% | 78.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$90
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 982 | 2,433 |
Total number of admissions given out | 742 | 1,914 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 269 | 387 |
Yield rate | 36.3% | 20.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $72,066 |
In state:
$31,900
Out of state:
$57,500
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Average net price | $50,420 | $24,772 |
Tuition | $47,334 |
In state:
$1,030
Out of state:
$26,630
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Room & board | $14,800 | |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
64.0%
Average amount $17,667 |
90.0%
Average amount $7,161 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
39.0%
Average amount $5,367 |
62.0%
Average amount $5,263 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $38,675 |
21.0%
Average amount $19,122 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,028
Men 41.7% Women 58.3% |
1,778
Men 26.6% Women 73.4% |
Graduate students |
291
Men 42.6% Women 57.4% |
129
Men 37.2% Women 62.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 45.4% | 5.6% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | N/A | 919 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | N/A | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Mississippi Connecticut New Hampshire New York Maine |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 8:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 75.9% | 74.0% |
Dropout rate | 9.8% | 25.7% |
Transferred out | 8.6% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Architectural Sciences and Technology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Graphic Communications (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Bachelor's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Master's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
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Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Architecture (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Master's Degrees)
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