Institute of Art and Design at New England College SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements
At Institute of Art and Design at NEC, test optional means you can choose your strongest evidence, not that scores are ignored. With a 57.9% acceptance rate, a strong SAT or ACT can strengthen the academic side of your portfolio and help distinguish you from similarly talented applicants.
Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.
Institute of Art and Design at New England College facts and stats
Institute of Art and Design at New England College is a small urban institution with an undergraduate enrollment of 342 students. Institute of Art and Design at NEC has a freshman retention rate of 73%, which is above the national average of roughly 70%. Its 6-year graduation rate is 49%.
Manchester, NH
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Key Institute of Art and Design at New England College application dates
Key dates
Regular Decision
—
Early Action
December 15
Early Decision
Not offered
Priority Deadline
—
Financial Aid Priority
May 1
Test dates
August 22, 2026
Registration deadline: August 7, 2026
September 12, 2026
Registration deadline: August 28, 2026
October 3, 2026
Registration deadline: September 18, 2026
September 19, 2026
Registration deadline: August 14, 2026
October 17, 2026
Registration deadline: September 11, 2026
December 12, 2026
Registration deadline: November 6, 2026
Because Institute of Art and Design at NEC is test-optional, follow this timeline only if you plan to submit SAT or ACT scores. Take your first SAT or ACT by spring of junior year, then use the summer before senior year and fall of senior year for retakes that could improve a superscore. For the December 15 Early Action deadline, plan on the November test as your last fall retake so scores can arrive in time.
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What you'll actually pay
Institute of Art and Design at NEC is a private not-for-profit, so the same tuition rate applies to all students. Tuition and fees are $41,938, and the FAFSA priority deadline for financial aid is May 1.
At Institute of Art and Design at NEC, published tuition and fees plus room and board total $56,644 per year. Additional costs such as books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses can increase the amount families need to budget. The final net price can be lower depending on institutional, federal, or state aid and each student’s financial need.
Student life at Institute of Art and Design at New England College
52% of undergrads live on campus
Freshman housing: Priority
No fraternity or sorority life on campus.
Similar schools
Colby-Sawyer College
New London, NHAcceptance rate: 80.1%
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NHAcceptance rate: 5.4%
Franklin Pierce University
Rindge, NHAcceptance rate: 93.5%
SAT: 1020–1170
Keene State College
Keene, NHAcceptance rate: 90.3%
SAT: 930–1140
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