California College of the Arts Acceptance Rate & Tuition
California College of the Arts is a private research university in San Francisco, California, enrolling about 990 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 91.10% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $49,414 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $60,226
- 2024 Average Net Price: $53,909 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 91.10% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 990 96.7% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 61.22%
- Carnegie Classification: Not applicable, not in Carnegie universe (not accredited or non-degree-granting)
- First-Generation Students: 24.4%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 5.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 20.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 22.4%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,155
- Applicants (IPEDS): 3,661
- Room & Board: $22,099 annual estimate
California College of the Arts: what the data shows
Common questions about California College of the Arts, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is California College of the Arts?
California College of the Arts is located in San Francisco, CA (ZIP 94107-2247).
NCES locale classification: City.
Is California College of the Arts public or private?
California College of the Arts is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does California College of the Arts cost?
Published tuition: $60,226.
Average net price after aid: $53,909.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $61,407 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $43,261 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $45,378 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $46,060 |
| $110,001+ | $56,394 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $240,904.
How hard is it to get into California College of the Arts?
Admission rate: 91.10%.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is California College of the Arts?
Total enrollment: 990 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,155 students.
Graduate enrollment: 304 students.
About 97% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at California College of the Arts?
150%-time completion rate: 61.22%.
First-year retention: 86.7%.
What do graduates of California College of the Arts earn?
Median earnings: $38,308 six years after entry; $49,414 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $27,000.
25.09% of students receive Pell grants.
What is California College of the Arts known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects (68 completions)
- Human Computer Interaction (65 completions)
- Computer Graphics (38 completions)
- 05.0041 (36 completions)
- Design and Visual Communications, General (32 completions)
- Industrial and Product Design (27 completions)
- Cinematography and Film/Video Production (24 completions)
- Fine/Studio Arts, General (20 completions)
- Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology (19 completions)
- Fashion/Apparel Design (19 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is California College of the Arts a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 91.10%; completion rate 61.22%; median earnings $49,414 at 10 years; net price $53,909. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$60,226
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at California College of the Arts was $60,226.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$53,909
2024 Value
In 2024 California College of the Arts had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $53,909.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$215,636 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$53,909 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$240,904 4-Year Tuition
$22,099 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,500 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$83,825 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$335,300 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for California College of the Arts.
Financial Aid by Income Level
25.09% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
48.03% 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 California College of the Arts 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 California College of the Arts 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 | $40,334 | $40,334 | $30,719 |
| 2014 | $41,942 | $41,942 | $29,997 |
| 2015 | $43,708 | $43,708 | $31,820 |
| 2016 | $45,466 | $45,466 | $31,958 |
| 2017 | $47,266 | $47,266 | $30,601 |
| 2018 | $49,138 | $49,138 | $35,458 |
| 2019 | $51,092 | $51,092 | $33,876 |
| 2020 | $51,137 | $51,137 | $33,122 |
| 2021 | $52,312 | $52,312 | $31,566 |
| 2022 | $54,706 | $54,706 | $35,076 |
| 2023 | $57,946 | $57,946 | $42,168 |
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
91.10% Acceptance Rate
3,661 Total Applicants
2,687 Students Admitted
186 First-Time Students Enrolled
6.92% 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
California College of the Arts reported total enrollment of about 990 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 33% male and 67% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Non-Resident Alien (31.9%), White (20.8%), and Hispanic or Latino (16.5%). About 25.09% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 24.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
96.7% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at California College of the Arts in 2024 is 990 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,155 students. Graduate enrollment is about 304 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
86.7%
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 31.9%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
47.53% 100% Completion Time
61.22% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 47.53% of students graduating from California College of the Arts completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects: 35% male / 65% female
- Human Computer Interaction: 31% male / 69% female
- Computer Graphics: 32% male / 68% 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: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for California College of the Arts.
Return on Investment
$27,000 Median Student Debt
$49,414 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
54.64% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
129.15% Return on Investment
5.5 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for California College of the Arts.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 26 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects: 68 completions
2. Human Computer Interaction: 65 completions
3. Computer Graphics: 38 completions
4. 05.0041: 36 completions
5. Design and Visual Communications, General: 32 completions
6. Industrial and Product Design: 27 completions
7. Cinematography and Film/Video Production: 24 completions
8. Fine/Studio Arts, General: 20 completions
9. Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology: 19 completions
Most popular programs at California College of the Arts.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for California College of the Arts graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for California College of the Arts from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 22.4%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $9,785
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $24,140
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
California College of the Arts is a private non-profit institution located in San Francisco, CA, classified as Not applicable, not in Carnegie universe (not accredited or non-degree-granting). In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Human Computer Interaction, Computer Graphics. Enrollment is approximately 990 students. Student body composition includes Non-Resident Alien (31.9%), White (20.8%), Hispanic or Latino (16.5%). The admission rate is 91.10%. The 150%-time completion rate is 61.22%. Approximately 25.09% of students receive Pell Grants. About 24.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Not applicable, not in Carnegie universe (not accredited or non-degree-granting)
Location
San Francisco, CA 94107-2247
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
California College of the Arts 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 California College of the Arts located?
California College of the Arts is located in San Francisco, CA.
What is California College of the Arts's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at California College of the Arts is 91.1% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 3,661 applicants and 2,687 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does California College of the Arts cost?
Reported tuition is $60,226 and average net price is $53,909 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $22,099 annually.
What is the student body demographics at California College of the Arts?
California College of the Arts reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,155 students, Non-Resident Alien (31.9%), White (20.8%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend California College of the Arts?
About 24.4% of students at California College of the Arts are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of California College of the Arts earn?
Median earnings are $38,308 six years after entry and $49,414 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at California College of the Arts?
The 150%-time completion rate is 61.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do California College of the Arts students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $27,000.
Is California College of the Arts public or private?
California College of the Arts is a private nonprofit institution located in San Francisco, CA.
Is California College of the Arts an HBCU?
No. California College of the Arts is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is California College of the Arts a tribal college?
No. California College of the Arts is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is California College of the Arts a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
Using a 25% Hispanic enrollment threshold on College Scorecard demographics, California College of the Arts does not meet that proxy (reported share 16.5%).
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
- San Francisco, 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.