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Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design

Just west of Denver, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is known for a studio-first approach where ideas get tested, revised, and pushed in critique. Students work across fine arts, design, and digital media with faculty who keep one foot in professional practice. Light-filled studios, galleries, fabrication shops, and digital labs sit beside spaces for research, advising, tech support, and wellness care.

Campus life leans creative and collaborative: student-run shows, pop-up markets, visiting artists, late-night builds. And when you need a breather, trails, parks, and an outdoor culture are close. The college has a reputation for portfolio-centered career prep, with reviews, internships, and industry feedback that help translate studio work to jobs. Lakewood and nearby neighborhoods offer galleries, creative businesses, and nonprofits, giving students chances to exhibit, volunteer, and connect. Traditions like end-of-term critiques and campus-wide exhibitions keep the work public and the conversation honest.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
1600 Pierce St, Lakewood, Colorado, 80214, USA
Website
rmcad.edu
Unit ID
127945

Academic & Institutional

Control
Private for-profit institution (operates for revenue)
Accreditation
HLC
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
Semester system (two main terms per year)
Award Levels
Bachelor's
Master's
Residency
Campus Setting
Located in a large suburb (outside principal city, 250,000+ population)
Carnegie Classification
Baccalaureate - Diverse Fields
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$23,273
Tuition $20,913 + Fee $2,360
Out-of-State
$23,273
Tuition $20,913 + Fee $2,360
Student Profile
Total Students 1,888
Undergraduate 1,878
Graduate/Other 10
Male: 465 Female: 1,423
Applications
Total Applicants N/A
Admitted N/A
Enrolled N/A
Staff
Total Staff 365
Full-time 203
Part-time 162
Full-time: 55.6% Part-time: 44.4%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) offers 10 degree programs across 4 major academic fields, graduating approximately 266 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Arts (7 programs, 186 graduates), Media Tech (1 programs, 46 graduates), Computer & IT (1 programs, 24 graduates) and Education (1 programs, 10 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Arts (7 programs, 186 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Interior Design 73
Bachelor's
50.0408
Illustration 60
Bachelor's
50.0410
Game and Interactive Media Design 21
Bachelor's
50.0411
Photography 15
Bachelor's
Residency
50.0605
Fashion and Apparel Design 8
Bachelor's
50.0407
Studio Arts, General 8
Bachelor's
50.0702
Music Technology 1
Bachelor's
50.0913
Media Tech (1 programs, 46 graduates)
Digital Media Technologies and Broadcasting Systems
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Animation and Interactive Technology 46
Bachelor's
10.0304
Computer & IT (1 programs, 24 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Computer Graphics 24
Bachelor's
11.0803
Education (1 programs, 10 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Art Education 10
Bachelor's
13.1302

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$24,864
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$24,864
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$23,273
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$23,273
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$13,304 (off-campus)
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$1,591
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$2,832 (off-campus)
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$2,996
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$15,144
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$15,144
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

6%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$6,593
Avg. Loan
$10,978
Avg. Federal Loan
$8,251
Additional
Students with Any Grant
105
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
100
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
56
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$2,867
Average amount of institutional grant awarded

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

37%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
58%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$22,213 – $64,437
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$22,213 (25th %) $64,437 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $42,958
Median Salary After 6 Years
$30,280
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$42,958
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
52.4%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
64.4%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$31,000
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 41.6%
Middle 52.0%
High 66.7%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 56.4%
Independent 43.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD)

How much does it cost to attend Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD)?

The annual tuition at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) is $23,273 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $24,864 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $13,304 (off-campus) and books and supplies $1,591.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design offer?

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) offers 10 academic programs across 4 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Master's, Residency.

Most popular program areas include:

  • Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (7 programs)
  • Digital Media Technologies and Broadcasting Systems (1 programs)
  • Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (1 programs)
  • Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (1 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design?

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) provides financial aid to 6% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $6,593 and average loans of $10,978.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $7,180
  • State/Local grants: $2,000
  • Institutional grants: $2,867
  • Federal loans: $8,251

The university supports 105 students with grants and 100 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design graduates?

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) graduates earn a median salary of $30,280 after 6 years and $42,958 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $22,213 (25th percentile) to $64,437 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $66,600 (90th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

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