California College of the Arts
San Francisco, California · Private nonprofit, 4-year
At a glance
Average net price
$53,909
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
61.2%
Admission rate
91%
Undergrad size
990
In-state tuition
$60,226
Out-of-state tuition
$60,226
Cost of attendance
$79,776
Median earnings (10y)
$49,414
Admissions
- SAT average
- Not available
- ACT midpoint
- Not available
- Retention
- 86.7%
- Locale
- City
Programs breakdown
7 program areas reported · Heavily focused on humanities & arts (67% of credentials).
- STEM14%
- Humanities & arts67%
- Trades & services19%
- ~508 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Communications tech18.6%~184 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Computer science13.8%~137 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Architecture7.6%~76 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~72 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- English0.7%~7 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~7 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare 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
18 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 | 183 | $35,949 | $27,000 |
| Graphic Communications. | Bachelor's | 106 | $16,698 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 106 | $23,560 | $29,250 |
| Human Computer Interaction. | Master's | 75 | — | — |
| Computer Software and Media Applications. | Bachelor's | 67 | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor's | 67 | — | — |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Master's | 62 | $92,520 | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Master's | 59 | $31,472 | — |
| Human Computer Interaction. | Bachelor's | 51 | — | $27,125 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology. | Master's | 33 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 33 | $123,170 | — |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology. | Bachelor's | 32 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Master's | 20 | $42,206 | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Master's | 19 | — | — |
| Graphic Communications. | Master's | 18 | — | — |
| Museology/Museum Studies. | Master's | 7 | — | — |
| Architecture. | Bachelor's | — | $57,344 | — |
| Architecture. | Master's | — | $61,396 | — |
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 California College of the Arts
California College of the Arts is a small institution located in San Francisco, California, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 990 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Visual & performing arts, Communications tech, Computer science.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at California College of the Arts — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $53,909 per year, which is premium-priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Published tuition is $60,226 per year before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $79,776 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 61.2%, a above-average completion outcome. 86.7% 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 $49,414 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
California College of the Arts confers degrees and certificates across 7 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Visual & performing arts, Communications tech, Computer science. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by humanities & arts (67% of credentials), trades & services (19% of credentials), stem (14% 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
California College of the Arts accepts 91% of applicants, making it open or near-open admission.
Location & campus
Set in San Francisco, California (city), California College of the Arts 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 California College of the Arts
Q.How much does California College of the Arts cost?
The average net price at California College of the Arts is $53,909 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $79,776.
Q.What is the graduation rate at California College of the Arts?
California College of the Arts has a 6-year graduation rate of 61.2% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into California College of the Arts?
California College of the Arts admits 91% of applicants, which is considered open or near-open admission.
Q.How much do California College of the Arts graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median California College of the Arts graduate earns $49,414 per year.
Q.What is tuition at California College of the Arts?
Published tuition is $60,226 in-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is California College of the Arts located?
California College of the Arts is located in San Francisco, California (ZIP 94107).
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 California College of the Arts at their official website.