Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, California · Private nonprofit, 4-year
At a glance
Average net price
$48,661
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
79.2%
Admission rate
75%
Undergrad size
2,017
In-state tuition
$54,170
Out-of-state tuition
$54,170
Cost of attendance
$75,649
Median earnings (10y)
$71,958
Admissions
- SAT average
- Not available
- ACT midpoint
- Not available
- Retention
- 85.9%
- Locale
- City
Programs breakdown
5 program areas reported · Heavily focused on humanities & arts (56% of credentials).
- STEM25%
- Humanities & arts56%
- Trades & services20%
- ~1,077 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Engineering tech20.0%~403 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Communications tech19.6%~395 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Computer science4.5%~92 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Architecture2.5%~50 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
15 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor's | 473 | $40,017 | $31,050 |
| Graphic Communications. | Bachelor's | 141 | $63,126 | $35,593 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Bachelor's | 121 | $58,061 | $37,250 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor's | 88 | $21,685 | $31,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor's | 84 | $60,973 | $54,124 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Master's | 67 | — | — |
| Computer Software and Media Applications. | Bachelor's | 41 | — | — |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology. | Bachelor's | 39 | $53,380 | — |
| Computer Software and Media Applications. | Master's | 39 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 32 | $24,536 | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Master's | 26 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Master's | 25 | $17,249 | — |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology. | Master's | 18 | — | — |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master's | 17 | — | — |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Master's | 9 | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Art Center College of Design
Art Center College of Design is a mid-sized institution located in Pasadena, California, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 2,017 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Visual & performing arts, Engineering tech, Communications tech.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Art Center College of Design — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $48,661 per year, which is premium-priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Published tuition is $54,170 per year before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $75,649 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 79.2%, a strong completion outcome. 85.9% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $71,958 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Art Center College of Design confers degrees and certificates across 5 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Visual & performing arts, Engineering tech, Communications tech. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by humanities & arts (56% of credentials), stem (25% of credentials), trades & services (20% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Art Center College of Design accepts 75% of applicants, making it moderately selective.
Location & campus
Set in Pasadena, California (city), Art Center College of Design draws students from across California and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Art Center College of Design
Q.How much does Art Center College of Design cost?
The average net price at Art Center College of Design is $48,661 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $75,649.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Art Center College of Design?
Art Center College of Design has a 6-year graduation rate of 79.2% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Art Center College of Design?
Art Center College of Design admits 75% of applicants, which is considered moderately selective.
Q.How much do Art Center College of Design graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Art Center College of Design graduate earns $71,958 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Art Center College of Design?
Published tuition is $54,170 in-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Art Center College of Design located?
Art Center College of Design is located in Pasadena, California (ZIP 91103).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Art Center College of Design at their official website.