Maine College of Art & Design, established in 1882, is Portland's premier arts institution. The campus includes the Porteous Building studios. MECA&D's 'Making & Meaning' first-year program builds foundational skills.
Maine College of Art & Design Acceptance Rate
Maine College of Art & Design (MECA) is somewhat selective. With an acceptance rate of 73.96%, the school is accessible to students who demonstrate foundational academic competency and a readiness for college-level work.
Admissions Guidelines
- Broad Evaluation: Personal growth and vocational goals are considered alongside grades.
- Flexible Standards: Strengths in extracurriculars can often balance an average GPA.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem .
Maine College of Art & Design Admission Requirements
Admission Chance Predictor
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Maine College of Art & Design (MECA) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. For the 2026 academic cycle, the landscape of standardized testing has shifted back toward Test-Required policies at the majority of highly selective and Ivy+ institutions. Following a multi-year "Test-Optional" pilot, data-driven results have led universities like Harvard, Yale, Brown, and the University of Texas at Austin to reinstate the SAT and ACT as mandatory components of the application.
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2025 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
MECA Profile
Name: Maine College of Art & Design (MECA)
City: Portland
URL: www.meca.edu/
State: Maine
Type: Non-Profit Private
Zip: 04101-3494
Campus: Main
Accredited by: New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
How much does a degree from MECA Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Maine College of Art & Design is USD: 55612. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Maine College of Art & Design is much less than this.
How can I get a scholarship?
32.52% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 75.06 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to MECA and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Maine College of Art & Design, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist MECA as your choice in the form.
How much a MECA Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 40778. An average MECA graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry
- Design and Applied Arts
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Graphic Communications
Masters Degree Programs
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
Professional Certificate Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Maine College of Art & Design Admissions
Answer: Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $40778 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
Question: What is the tuition fee?
Answer: The tuition fee at this university is quite high, approximately $55612 or more per year for out-of-state students, so it is important to consider additional funding options.
Question: What are my chances of getting a scholarship ?
Answer: Your chances of getting a scholarship are excellent, with more than a 80% chance, depending on your academic performance and extracurricular involvement.
Question: What is the acceptance rate?
Answer: The acceptance rate of Maine College of Art & Design is 73.96 which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
Question: Is it possible to transfer from another university?
Answer: Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
Question: How can I improve my chances of getting Admissions?
Answer: To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
Full list of All degree programs offered by Maine College of Art & Design.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2025, US Department of Education's latest 2025 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.