Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
62.8% Acceptance Rate
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
62.8%Acceptance Rate
3.08Avg GPA
1155Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$52,646Annual Cost
$41,174Grad Salary
36.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
62.8%
Avg GPA
3.08
Avg SAT
1155
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
940–1140
ACT Middle 50%
20–28
Need-Based Aid
36.4% receive Pell
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), established in 1974, is Wisconsin's only four-year private art and design college.
The urban campus features the Brooks Stevens Gallery of Industrial Design, digital fabrication labs, and the Illustration Alley exhibition space. MIAD's curriculum emphasizes professional practice in creative fields.
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Acceptance Rate
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is 62.8%. This means that 63 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
Admissions Guidelines
- Broad Evaluation: Personal growth and vocational goals are considered alongside grades.
- Flexible Standards: Strengths in extracurriculars can often balance an average GPA.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 62.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.08 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.88 – 3.07
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.63
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
MIAD GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at MIAD is 3.08. This suggests moderate selectivity.
A mix of A's, B's, and some C's is common. Higher SAT/ACT scores can compensate for a lower GPA.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.28-3.48 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 2.78 and 3.08, aim for a strong standardized test score.
MIAD GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at MIAD utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.08, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.08 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.88 – 3.07
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.68 – 2.87
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.67
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- Acceptance rate approximately 63% (IPEDS: 62.8%, CollegeSimply; 60.53%, BigFuture); no application fee; test-optional; rolling admissions (RD deadline August 1); portfolio required; essay optional (artist/designer statement or personal essay); five BFA programs: Communication Design, Illustration, Interior Architecture and Design, New Studio Practice (Fine Arts), Product Design.
- Every full-time student receives a merit scholarship ($12,000/year to full tuition), determined through admissions with no separate application; 100% of students receive some form of financial aid; Scholastic Art Awards Gold Key, Ohio Governor's Youth Art Exhibition, and NHSA certificates unlock additional named scholarships stacked on base award.
- Wisconsin's only dedicated art and design college; AICAD member with exchange access to 39 peer institutions; cross-registration available with Marquette University; ranked #1 in Wisconsin and #11 in the Midwest for graphic design programs (Animation Career Review 2025); study abroad programs in Italy, Ireland, Thailand, and China.
- All students enter a common first year with no declared major; BFA concentration declared at Major Declaration Night in spring of freshman year; personal studio space provided from sophomore year; Two50Two residence hall directly across the street (first two years required for students outside 45-mile radius); campus in Historic Third Ward of Milwaukee, adjacent to creative industry employers and Milwaukee Art Museum.
- The Rigor Metric: At MIAD, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at MIAD
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Milwaukee Institute of Art & 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
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) Test Requirements
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 2026 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.
Can I Get Into MIAD Without SAT or ACT?
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Average SAT Score: 1155
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is 1155 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1155 — Less Competitive
This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1155 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1140 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 940, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at MIAD. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 470 | 420 | 520 |
| SAT Reading | 570 | 520 | 620 |
| SAT Composite | 1155 | 940 | 1140 |
It means that if you have scored less than 940 then you are below most of the admitted students at MIAD and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1140 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) with a 1150 SAT?
With a 1150 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) are good but the admission staff at MIAD tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at MIAD is 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
This score makes Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 24 on the ACT.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 23 | 18 | 27 |
| ACT English | 24 | 20 | 28 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 20 | 28 |
Can I get into Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design with a 28 ACT?
A 28 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 28 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for MIAD
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
MIAD is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
The Portfolio Is the Application - But You Don't Have to Declare a Major to Submit One
MIAD's admissions process centers on a required portfolio, but the school does not ask you to select a major before enrolling. All students enter through a common first year and declare their BFA concentration - Communication Design, Illustration, Interior Architecture and Design, New Studio Practice (Fine Arts), or Product Design - at Major Declaration Night in the spring of freshman year, after working across disciplines with faculty from each program. This means the portfolio you submit for admission should reflect your full creative range and strongest work, not a narrowed set of pieces tailored to a single track. Admissions counselors offer free portfolio reviews at any point in the process; use this before submitting, not after, as it is direct feedback from the people evaluating your work.
Every Full-Time Student Receives a Merit Scholarship - Range Is $12,000 to Full Tuition, Determined by the Portfolio
MIAD states explicitly that every full-time enrolled student receives a merit scholarship, and the amount is determined through the admissions process with no separate application required. Scholarship awards range from $12,000 per year to full tuition based on academic and portfolio quality. Additional layered scholarships are available for students with Scholastic Art Awards Gold Key portfolios, Ohio Governor's Youth Art Exhibition recognition, and National Art Honor Society certificates - MIAD explicitly lists these as qualifying for named awards stacked on top of the base institutional scholarship. Students applying with any of these credentials should ensure this documentation is included with their application materials. The essay, though listed as optional, can also differentiate applications when portfolios are otherwise comparable in quality.
AICAD Membership and Marquette Cross-Registration Expand Your Academic Range Beyond Five Majors
MIAD is a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD), which enables exchange programs with 39 leading art and design schools across the country - giving students access to programs, studios, and faculty at peer institutions like RISD, MICA, SCAD, and others for a semester or year while paying MIAD tuition rates. Cross-registration with Marquette University, located a few miles away in Milwaukee, expands course access in liberal arts, business, and sciences that MIAD's five-program structure doesn't offer internally. Students who have a specific academic interest that requires coursework outside studio art and design should research both the AICAD exchange network and Marquette's cross-registration policies before the end of their freshman year, as these programs have application timelines that don't wait for students who discover them late.
The Historic Third Ward Location Is an Industry Asset - Use It from Semester One
MIAD's campus sits in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward, a creative district that houses design studios, advertising agencies, architecture firms, galleries, the Milwaukee Art Museum (a 10-minute walk), and a concentration of creative-sector employers that most art schools can only claim proximity to from a suburban campus. The school's stated professional model - connecting students and clients through industry projects - reflects the fact that Milwaukee's creative economy is genuinely accessible from the campus rather than hypothetically available. Studio space provided from sophomore year is located in this same ecosystem. Students who treat the Third Ward as a neighborhood to pass through, rather than a professional network to build from day one, are forfeiting the location advantage that distinguishes MIAD from peer institutions in less centrally positioned cities.
Expert Insight:
The most common failure at MIAD involves students who apply with portfolios that show technical skill in one medium but no evidence of cross-disciplinary curiosity - and then arrive expecting to immediately specialize in that medium. Because all students enter a shared first year with exposure to all five BFA areas, students who are rigidly committed to a single track from day one often find the first-year curriculum disorienting. Major Declaration Night in spring of freshman year is designed to be an informed decision made after studio exploration, not a confirmation of what you already decided before applying. Students who resist first-year experimentation and push to skip foundation courses consistently produce weaker portfolios by junior year than students who engaged openly with all five program areas before declaring.
MIAD Profile
Full Name
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD)
City
Milwaukee
State
Wisconsin
ZIP Code
53202-6003
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a MIAD Degree Worth It?
Getting into MIAD can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. MIAD offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at MIAD is $69,200 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.06%.
How much does a degree from MIAD Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is $52,646. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is much less than this.
36.4% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 77.1 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to MIAD and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Milwaukee Institute 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 MIAD as your choice in the form.
How much does a MIAD Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $41,174. An average MIAD 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 $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | 1119 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at MIAD
Bachelor Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design →
Frequently Asked Questions About MIAD Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $41,174 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is quite high, approximately $52,646 or more per year, so it is important to consider additional funding options.
36.4% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The acceptance rate of Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is 62.8% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.08. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 2.78, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 2.78, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 2.68 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.08, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1155 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 940–1140.
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.
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.