For-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Lakewood, Colorado
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$33,950Annual Cost
$42,958Grad Salary
46%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
For-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
Need-Based Aid
46% receive Pell
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, founded in 1963, is a private for-profit college in Lakewood, Colorado. It offers programs in animation, graphic design, and game art. The campus includes a digital media lab and industry-connected faculty.
RMCAD is unranked but respected for its creative arts programs. Its Denver location provides access to a thriving arts and tech scene.
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Acceptance Rate
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 100% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
RMCAD reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at RMCAD
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if RMCAD is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into RMCAD Without SAT or ACT?
RMCAD's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for RMCAD
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into RMCAD is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Submit a portfolio even though it isn't strictly required for admission - it's your scholarship application
RMCAD's general admission doesn't mandate a portfolio, but the Artistic Aptitude Scholarship is awarded specifically based on your admissions portfolio quality. Treat portfolio submission as functionally required: skipping it because it's "optional" for admission means leaving a real scholarship opportunity on the table for a school where cost is a significant factor (net price runs well over $20,000/year even after aid).
Colorado high school seniors: apply for the Best of Colorado Scholarship specifically
RMCAD offers a scholarship exclusively for highly creative Colorado high school seniors graduating in the current cycle. If you're a Colorado resident, ask admissions directly about this scholarship rather than assuming general aid covers it - it's a named, separate award with its own criteria distinct from the broader Artistic Aptitude or Academic Achievement scholarships.
If transferring in with an AA/AAS from a partner school, ask about the Partners in Success Scholarship
Students transferring in with an Associate in Arts or Associate in Applied Science from one of RMCAD's specific partner schools qualify for a dedicated transfer scholarship, applicable to both on-campus and online enrollment. Confirm whether your current or prior two-year school is on RMCAD's partner list before transferring, since this scholarship isn't available to AA/AAS holders from non-partner institutions.
Know that RMCAD is a for-profit institution - factor that into your comparison, not just the portfolio process
RMCAD is owned by Rocky Mountain College LLC as a for-profit institution, distinct from the nonprofit art-school peer set it's often compared against. This doesn't disqualify it as a strong program, but it's worth weighing alongside typical for-profit considerations (tuition structure, transferability of credits to other institutions) when comparing offers, especially against nonprofit art schools with similar portfolio requirements.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes treat the RMCAD portfolio as purely optional since it isn't a strict admission requirement, and skip it to save time - but doing so forfeits automatic consideration for the Artistic Aptitude Scholarship, one of the more accessible merit awards at a school where net cost after aid still runs well above $20,000 a year. A portfolio built specifically for scholarship review, not just admission, is worth the extra effort.
RMCAD Profile
Full Name
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD)
City
Lakewood
State
Colorado
ZIP Code
80214
Type
For-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a RMCAD Degree Worth It?
At $33,950/year against a $42,958 median graduate salary, RMCAD is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $71,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.88%.
How much does a degree from RMCAD Cost?
The sticker price is $33,950/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
46% of students receive a Pell Grant and 60.3% take federal loans at RMCAD. File your FAFSA early and list RMCAD as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a RMCAD Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $42,958. That's about 6% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at RMCAD
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About RMCAD Admissions
Median earnings for Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design graduates sit around $42,958 a year.
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design costs roughly $33,950 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 46.0% receive a Pell Grant at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The application fee is 50. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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