Non-Profit Private
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Beverly, Massachusetts
Montserrat College of Art — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
2.93Avg GPA
$56,284Annual Cost
$33,022Grad Salary
32.8%Pell Grant
Avg GPA
2.93
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
Need-Based Aid
32.8% receive Pell
Montserrat College of Art MA Montserrat College of Art is a specialized institution designed for students pursuing careers in visual arts, design, illustration, animation, photography, and related creative fields. The college emphasizes studio-based learning and hands-on artistic development.\n\nStudents seeking an immersive creative environment with individualized mentorship often find Montserrat attractive. The institution focuses on helping artists build professional portfolios, develop technical skills, and prepare for careers in the creative economy.
Montserrat College of Art Acceptance Rate
Admission at Montserrat College of Art is inclusive by design. 100% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
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%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier. A solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.93 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.73 – 2.92
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.48
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Montserrat College of Art Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark December 1 for Montserrat College of Art (Early Action — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 20.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 115 days left — Early Action
Early Action
December 1
Decision by: December 20
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: March 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Montserrat College of Art GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Montserrat College of Art is 2.93. That makes admissions here moderately selective. Most admitted students carry a blend of A's, B's, and the occasional C.
A stronger SAT or ACT score can comfortably offset a GPA on the lower end of this range.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.13–3.33.Montserrat College of Art GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.93 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.73 – 2.92
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.53 – 2.72
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.52
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Portfolio review can be scheduled directly with an Admissions Counselor before applying.
- Transfer students may bring up to 60 credits (30 studio art + 30 liberal arts) with a grade of C or higher.
- Test-optional; rolling admission with a February 15 priority date for scholarships.
- Applicants can apply via Montserrat's own application or the Common App.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Montserrat College of Art
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Montserrat College of Art's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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.
Montserrat College of Art Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Montserrat College of Art. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Montserrat College of Art Without SAT or ACT?
Montserrat College of Art'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 Montserrat College of Art
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Montserrat College of Art provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Build the portfolio around two direct-observation pieces
Montserrat's portfolio requirement is specifically 12?15 pieces, and it must include two done from direct observation (life drawing, still life). Don't submit an all-digital or all-imagination portfolio - reviewers are checking for observational drawing skill as a distinct category.
Write the essay as an artist statement, not a personal essay
The 300?500 word essay should describe who you are as an artist and specifically why Montserrat fits - not a generic Common App topic. Name specific concentrations (Illustration, Animation, Book Arts) and reference why Montserrat's studio culture fits your practice.
One letter is required, two are recommended, and Montserrat prefers at least one from an art teacher or professional artist who can speak to your artistic ability specifically, not just your academic record.
Submit by February 15 for merit scholarship review
Applications after February 15 move to first-come, first-served review for both admission and merit scholarship consideration as space allows. If scholarship money matters to your decision, treat February 15 as a hard target, not a suggestion.
Expert Insight:
Students sometimes submit only finished, polished digital work - Montserrat's admissions counselors specifically look for the two direct-observation pieces as a technical foundation check, and a portfolio missing them can weaken an otherwise strong application.
Montserrat College of Art Profile
Full Name
Montserrat College of Art
City
Beverly
State
Massachusetts
ZIP Code
01915-4508
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a Montserrat College of Art Degree Worth It?
Whether Montserrat College of Art is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $76,300, and graduates see a 2.92% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Montserrat College of Art Cost?
Listed tuition runs $56,284/year at Montserrat College of Art. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Montserrat College of Art, 32.8% receive a Pell Grant and 76.4% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Montserrat College of Art on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Montserrat College of Art Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Montserrat College of Art graduates report a median income of $33,022, somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at Montserrat College of Art
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Montserrat College of Art Admissions
Montserrat College of Art graduates earn a lower median salary of $33,022/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Montserrat College of Art runs high, at roughly $56,284+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
32.8% of Montserrat College of Art students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
The average GPA of admitted Montserrat College of Art students is 2.93, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.63 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Montserrat College of Art. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.53 or below makes admission tougher at Montserrat College of Art, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Montserrat College of Art's deadline is December 1 (Early Action), with decisions out by December 20.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026. That's Montserrat College of Art's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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