Art Center College of Design is a private non-profit institution located in Pasadena, CA, offering 13 distinct degree programs across various fields of study. The institution maintains a strong graduation rate of 82.61%, demonstrating a commitment to student success and completion.

Key Facts

  • 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $51,640
  • 2024 Average Net Price: $50,209 After Financial Aid
  • 2024 Acceptance Rate: 74.98% Moderate Selectivity
  • 2024 Enrolled Students: 2,054 N/A% Full-Time
  • 2024 Graduation Rate: 82.61%

Costs

Tuition Costs

$51,640
2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Art Center College of Design was $51,640.

Tuition comparison with similar institutions.

Average Net Price

$50,209
2024 Value

In 2024 Art Center College of Design had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $50,209.

Average net price comparison with similar institutions.

Total Cost of Attendance

$200,836 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost

$50,209 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)

$206,560 4-Year Tuition

Costs include tuition and fees. Room & board, books, and other expenses are additional.

4-year total cost breakdown for Art Center College of Design.

Financial Aid by Income Level

24.50% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

35.64% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

Financial aid distribution by income level.

Student Loan Default Rate

Not reported
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)

The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Art Center College of Design was not reported in the College Scorecard extract for this institution.

Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate

74.98% Acceptance Rate

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

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

N/A% Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Art Center College of Design in 2024 is 2,054 students.

Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.

Retention Rate over Time

N/A%
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.

Graduates & Outcomes

Time to Complete

38.70% 100% Completion Time

82.61% 150% Completion Time

In 2024, 38.70% of students graduating from Art Center College of Design completed their program within 100% "normal time".

Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.

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

258.29% Return on Investment

4.3 years Estimated Payback Period

Financial value analysis for Art Center College of Design.

Top Programs by Completions

10 Programs Reporting Data

CIP 05.0041: 140 completions

Communications Technology - 10.0304: 95 completions

Visual & Performing Arts: 84 completions

Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other: 70 completions

CIP 50.0602: 48 completions

Computer Science - 11.0899: 45 completions

CIP 15.0803: 44 completions

Fine & Studio Arts: 30 completions

CIP 04.0902: 21 completions

Other/Unknown Programs: 608 completions

Most popular programs at Art Center College of Design.

Employment Outcomes

$53,562 Median Earnings (6 years after entry)

$58,753 Median Earnings (8 years after entry)

$71,958 Median Earnings (10 years after entry)

Earnings outcomes for Art Center College of Design graduates.

About

Art Center College of Design is a private non-profit institution located in Pasadena, CA, offering 13 distinct degree programs across various academic disciplines. The institution enrolls approximately 2,054 students. The admission rate is 74.98%. The institution maintains a 82.61% graduation rate. Approximately 24.50% of students receive Pell Grants.

Institution Type

Private Non-profit

Location

Pasadena, CA 91103

Region: Far West

Insights and Analysis

Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 82.61% graduation rate, Art Center College of Design demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.

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

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.