Art Center College of Design Acceptance Rate & Tuition
Art Center College of Design is a private research university in Pasadena, California, enrolling about 2,017 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 74.54% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $71,958 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $54,170
- 2024 Average Net Price: $48,661 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 74.54% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 2,017 88.6% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 79.17%
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
- First-Generation Students: 24.3%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 3.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 19.1%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,535
- Applicants (IPEDS): 1,339
- Room & Board: $19,632 annual estimate
Art Center College of Design: what the data shows
Common questions about Art Center College of Design, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Art Center College of Design?
Art Center College of Design is located in Pasadena, CA (ZIP 91103).
NCES locale classification: Suburb.
Is Art Center College of Design public or private?
Art Center College of Design is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Art Center College of Design cost?
Published tuition: $54,170.
Average net price after aid: $48,661.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $39,645 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $42,161 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $44,738 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $45,677 |
| $110,001+ | $61,144 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $216,680.
How hard is it to get into Art Center College of Design?
Admission rate: 74.54%.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Art Center College of Design?
Total enrollment: 2,017 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,535 students.
Graduate enrollment: 270 students.
About 89% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Art Center College of Design?
150%-time completion rate: 79.17%.
First-year retention: 85.9%.
What do graduates of Art Center College of Design earn?
Median earnings: $53,562 six years after entry; $71,958 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $31,000.
21.60% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Art Center College of Design known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- 05.0041 (140 completions)
- Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects (95 completions)
- Graphic Design (84 completions)
- Engineering-Related Fields, Other (70 completions)
- Cinematography and Film/Video Production (48 completions)
- Computer Software and Media Applications, Other (45 completions)
- Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician (44 completions)
- Fine/Studio Arts, General (30 completions)
- Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology (21 completions)
- Photography (15 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Art Center College of Design a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 74.54%; completion rate 79.17%; median earnings $71,958 at 10 years; net price $48,661. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$54,170
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Art Center College of Design was $54,170.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$48,661
2024 Value
In 2024 Art Center College of Design had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $48,661.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$194,644 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$48,661 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$216,680 4-Year Tuition
$19,632 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$4,000 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$77,802 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$311,208 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Art Center College of Design.
Financial Aid by Income Level
21.60% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
32.95% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Art Center College of Design was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Art Center College of Design in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $36,480 | $36,480 | $43,083 |
| 2014 | $37,830 | $37,830 | $43,155 |
| 2015 | $39,230 | $39,230 | $44,145 |
| 2016 | $40,596 | $40,596 | $46,080 |
| 2017 | $42,008 | $42,008 | $43,873 |
| 2018 | $43,416 | $43,416 | $43,010 |
| 2019 | $44,932 | $44,932 | $47,080 |
| 2020 | $46,486 | $46,486 | $46,054 |
| 2021 | $48,044 | $48,044 | $46,201 |
| 2022 | $49,942 | $49,942 | $48,735 |
| 2023 | $51,640 | $51,640 | $50,209 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
74.54% Acceptance Rate
1,339 Total Applicants
1,004 Students Admitted
322 First-Time Students Enrolled
32.07% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Art Center College of Design reported total enrollment of about 2,017 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 40% male and 60% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Non-Resident Alien (44.1%), Asian (29.8%), and White (10.2%). About 21.60% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 24.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
88.6% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Art Center College of Design in 2024 is 2,017 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 2,535 students. Graduate enrollment is about 270 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
85.9%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is Non-Resident Alien at 44.1%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
35.42% 100% Completion Time
79.17% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 35.42% of students graduating from Art Center College of Design completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- 05.0041: 24% male / 76% female
- Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects: 44% male / 56% female
- Graphic Design: 35% male / 65% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: Asian.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Art Center College of Design.
Return on Investment
$31,000 Median Student Debt
$71,958 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
43.08% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
269.69% Return on Investment
4.3 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Art Center College of Design.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 13 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. 05.0041: 140 completions
2. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects: 95 completions
3. Graphic Design: 84 completions
4. Engineering-Related Fields, Other: 70 completions
5. Cinematography and Film/Video Production: 48 completions
6. Computer Software and Media Applications, Other: 45 completions
7. Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician: 44 completions
8. Fine/Studio Arts, General: 30 completions
9. Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology: 21 completions
Most popular programs at Art Center College of Design.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Art Center College of Design graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Art Center College of Design from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 19.1%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $9,383
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $26,617
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Art Center College of Design is a private non-profit institution located in Pasadena, CA, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were 05.0041, Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Graphic Design. Enrollment is approximately 2,017 students. Student body composition includes Non-Resident Alien (44.1%), Asian (29.8%), White (10.2%). The admission rate is 74.54%. The 150%-time completion rate is 79.17%. Approximately 21.60% of students receive Pell Grants. About 24.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
Location
Pasadena, CA 91103
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
Art Center College of Design provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Art Center College of Design located?
Art Center College of Design is located in Pasadena, CA.
What is Art Center College of Design's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Art Center College of Design is 74.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 1,339 applicants and 1,004 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Art Center College of Design cost?
Reported tuition is $54,170 and average net price is $48,661 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $19,632 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Art Center College of Design?
Art Center College of Design reports undergraduate enrollment of about 2,535 students, Non-Resident Alien (44.1%), Asian (29.8%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Art Center College of Design?
About 24.3% of students at Art Center College of Design are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Art Center College of Design earn?
Median earnings are $53,562 six years after entry and $71,958 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Art Center College of Design?
The 150%-time completion rate is 79.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Art Center College of Design students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $31,000.
Is Art Center College of Design public or private?
Art Center College of Design is a private nonprofit institution located in Pasadena, CA.
Is Art Center College of Design an HBCU?
No. Art Center College of Design is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Art Center College of Design a tribal college?
No. Art Center College of Design is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Art Center College of Design a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
Using a 25% Hispanic enrollment threshold on College Scorecard demographics, Art Center College of Design does not meet that proxy (reported share 9.3%).
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- California college costs
- California colleges by ROI
- Pasadena, California city profile
- Far West regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in California
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.