Columbus College of Art & Design Acceptance Rate &
Columbus College of Art & Design is a private research university in Columbus, Ohio, enrolling about 882 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 67.66% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $40,664 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $40,825
- 2024 Average Net Price: $29,439 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 67.66% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 882 98.1% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 55.60%
- Carnegie Classification: Not applicable, not in Carnegie universe (not accredited or non-degree-granting)
- First-Generation Students: 24.6%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 7.1% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 35.2%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 913
- Applicants (IPEDS): 867
- Room & Board: $11,450 annual estimate
Columbus College of Art & Design: what the data shows
Common questions about Columbus College of Art & Design, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Columbus College of Art & Design?
Columbus College of Art & Design is located in Columbus, OH (ZIP 43215).
NCES locale classification: City.
Is Columbus College of Art & Design public or private?
Columbus College of Art & Design is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Columbus College of Art & Design cost?
Published tuition: $40,825.
Average net price after aid: $29,439.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $24,204 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $27,218 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $27,534 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $29,717 |
| $110,001+ | $33,114 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $163,300.
How hard is it to get into Columbus College of Art & Design?
Admission rate: 67.66%.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Columbus College of Art & Design?
Total enrollment: 882 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 913 students.
Graduate enrollment: 32 students.
About 98% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Columbus College of Art & Design?
150%-time completion rate: 55.60%.
First-year retention: 80.3%.
What do graduates of Columbus College of Art & Design earn?
Median earnings: $30,590 six years after entry; $40,664 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $27,000.
39.19% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Columbus College of Art & Design known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- 05.0041 (78 completions)
- Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects (40 completions)
- Commercial and Advertising Art (31 completions)
- Interior Design (12 completions)
- Fine/Studio Arts, General (12 completions)
- Fashion/Apparel Design (11 completions)
- Photography (9 completions)
- Game and Interactive Media Design (8 completions)
- Industrial and Product Design (7 completions)
- Cinematography and Film/Video Production (7 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Columbus College of Art & Design a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 67.66%; completion rate 55.60%; median earnings $40,664 at 10 years; net price $29,439. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$40,825
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Columbus College of Art & Design was $40,825.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$29,439
2024 Value
In 2024 Columbus College of Art & Design had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $29,439.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$117,756 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$29,439 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$163,300 4-Year Tuition
$11,450 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$5,050 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$57,325 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$229,300 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Columbus College of Art & Design.
Financial Aid by Income Level
39.19% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
69.88% 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 Columbus College of Art & 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 Columbus College of Art & 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 | $30,390 | $30,390 | $22,233 |
| 2014 | $30,390 | $30,390 | $31,901 |
| 2015 | $32,710 | $32,710 | $25,602 |
| 2016 | $32,880 | $32,880 | $27,281 |
| 2017 | $34,440 | $34,440 | $18,539 |
| 2018 | $35,420 | $35,420 | $21,629 |
| 2019 | $36,750 | $36,750 | $27,299 |
| 2020 | $37,370 | $37,370 | $26,493 |
| 2021 | $37,370 | $37,370 | $19,136 |
| 2022 | $38,150 | $38,150 | $28,136 |
| 2023 | $39,650 | $39,650 | $30,139 |
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
67.66% Acceptance Rate
867 Total Applicants
622 Students Admitted
192 First-Time Students Enrolled
30.87% 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
Columbus College of Art & Design reported total enrollment of about 882 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 27% male and 73% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (66.4%), Black or African American (12.1%), and Hispanic or Latino (8.7%). About 39.19% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 24.6% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
98.1% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Columbus College of Art & Design in 2024 is 882 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 913 students. Graduate enrollment is about 32 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
80.3%
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 White at 66.4%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
48.00% 100% Completion Time
55.60% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 48.00% of students graduating from Columbus College of Art & Design completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- 05.0041: 19% male / 81% female
- Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects: 22% male / 78% female
- Commercial and Advertising Art: 19% male / 81% 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 Columbus College of Art & Design.
Return on Investment
$27,000 Median Student Debt
$40,664 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
66.40% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
245.32% Return on Investment
6.6 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Columbus College of Art & Design.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 12 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. 05.0041: 78 completions
2. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects: 40 completions
3. Commercial and Advertising Art: 31 completions
4. Interior Design: 12 completions
5. Fine/Studio Arts, General: 12 completions
6. Fashion/Apparel Design: 11 completions
7. Photography: 9 completions
8. Game and Interactive Media Design: 8 completions
9. Industrial and Product Design: 7 completions
Most popular programs at Columbus College of Art & Design.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Columbus College of Art & Design graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Columbus College of Art & Design from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 35.2%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $5,663
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $13,051
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Columbus College of Art & Design is a private non-profit institution located in Columbus, OH, 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 05.0041, Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Commercial and Advertising Art. Enrollment is approximately 882 students. Student body composition includes White (66.4%), Black or African American (12.1%), Hispanic or Latino (8.7%). The admission rate is 67.66%. The 150%-time completion rate is 55.60%. Approximately 39.19% of students receive Pell Grants. About 24.6% 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
Columbus, OH 43215
Region: Great Lakes
Insights and Analysis
Columbus College of Art & 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 Columbus College of Art & Design located?
Columbus College of Art & Design is located in Columbus, OH.
What is Columbus College of Art & Design's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Columbus College of Art & Design is 67.7% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 867 applicants and 622 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Columbus College of Art & Design cost?
Reported tuition is $40,825 and average net price is $29,439 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $11,450 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Columbus College of Art & Design?
Columbus College of Art & Design reports undergraduate enrollment of about 913 students, White (66.4%), Black or African American (12.1%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Columbus College of Art & Design?
About 24.6% of students at Columbus College of Art & Design are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Columbus College of Art & Design earn?
Median earnings are $30,590 six years after entry and $40,664 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Columbus College of Art & Design?
The 150%-time completion rate is 55.6% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Columbus College of Art & Design students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $27,000.
Is Columbus College of Art & Design public or private?
Columbus College of Art & Design is a private nonprofit institution located in Columbus, OH.
Is Columbus College of Art & Design an HBCU?
No. Columbus College of Art & Design is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Columbus College of Art & Design a tribal college?
No. Columbus College of Art & Design is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Columbus College of Art & Design a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
Using a 25% Hispanic enrollment threshold on College Scorecard demographics, Columbus College of Art & Design does not meet that proxy (reported share 8.7%).
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
- Ohio college costs
- Ohio colleges by ROI
- Columbus, Ohio city profile
- Great Lakes regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Ohio
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.