Non-Profit Private
Accredited ·
Wilmington, Delaware
61% Acceptance Rate
Delaware College of Art and Design — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
61%Acceptance Rate
2.68Avg GPA
$47,250Annual Cost
$35,036Grad Salary
40.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
61%
Avg GPA
2.68
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
40.2% receive Pell
Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD), established in 1997 in Wilmington, offers associate degrees in fine arts, illustration, and photography. It's known for its intimate class sizes and portfolio-focused training.
The urban campus features studios, a digital media lab, and exhibition spaces. Partnerships with Pratt Institute and Corcoran College provide seamless transfer opportunities.
Delaware College of Art and Design Acceptance Rate
Delaware College of Art and Design is moderately selective. 61% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What DCAD Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 61% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.68 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.48 – 2.67
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.23
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Delaware College of Art and Design Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Key Admission Dates
💡 The scholarship deadline (N/A) 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.
DCAD GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at DCAD is 2.68. That makes admissions here less selective on GPA specifically. Most admitted students carry a mix of B's and C's.
A solid SAT or ACT score is the fastest way to strengthen an application in this range.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 2.88–3.08.Check Your Admission Chances at DCAD
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Delaware 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.
Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if DCAD is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into DCAD Without SAT or ACT?
DCAD neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average. Otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for DCAD
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
DCAD takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Not applicable.
Not applicable - see status note below.
Not applicable - see status note below.
Not applicable - see status note below.
Expert Insight:
Delaware College of Art and Design (Wilmington, DE) permanently closed at the end of the 2023-24 academic year, citing declining enrollment (down to 107 students by 2024, from a peak of 250 in 2011) and financial strain compounded by FAFSA rollout problems. Its accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education ceased effective January 31, 2025. Do not build admissions roadmap content for this institution - it is not accepting or reviewing applications for any current or future cycle.
DCAD Profile
Full Name
Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD)
City
Wilmington
State
Delaware
ZIP Code
19801-3007
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Is a DCAD Degree Worth It?
Whether DCAD 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.
How much does a degree from DCAD Cost?
The sticker price is $47,250/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
40.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 71.3% take federal loans at DCAD. File your FAFSA early and list DCAD as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a DCAD Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $35,036. That's somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at DCAD
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About DCAD Admissions
Median earnings for Delaware College of Art and Design graduates sit around $35,036 a year.
Delaware College of Art and Design costs roughly $47,250 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 40.2% receive a Pell Grant at Delaware College of Art and Design. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 61%, Delaware College of Art and Design's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Delaware College of Art and Design average a 2.68 GPA.
Delaware College of Art and Design doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.38 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.28, Delaware College of Art and Design becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is N/A. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
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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