Cleveland Institute of Art Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Cleveland Institute of Art is a private university in Cleveland, Ohio, enrolling about 539 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 61.35% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $42,509 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $49,400
- 2024 Average Net Price: $29,208 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 61.35% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 539 99.4% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 57.71%
- Carnegie Classification: Not applicable, not in Carnegie universe (not accredited or non-degree-granting)
- First-Generation Students: 26.7%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.1% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 1.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 47.1%
- Average SAT Score: 1193
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 562
- Applicants (IPEDS): 963
- Room & Board: $12,850 annual estimate
Cleveland Institute of Art: what the data shows
Common questions about Cleveland Institute of Art, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Cleveland Institute of Art?
Cleveland Institute of Art is located in Cleveland, OH (ZIP 44106-1710).
NCES locale classification: City.
Is Cleveland Institute of Art public or private?
Cleveland Institute of Art is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Cleveland Institute of Art cost?
Published tuition: $49,400.
Average net price after aid: $29,208.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $23,423 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $24,992 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $26,654 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $30,518 |
| $110,001+ | $37,436 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $197,600.
How hard is it to get into Cleveland Institute of Art?
Admission rate: 61.35%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1193 and midpoint ACT 23.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Cleveland Institute of Art?
Total enrollment: 539 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 562 students.
About 99% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Cleveland Institute of Art?
150%-time completion rate: 57.71%.
First-year retention: 87.8%.
What do graduates of Cleveland Institute of Art earn?
Median earnings: $33,148 six years after entry; $42,509 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $27,000.
42.23% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Cleveland Institute of Art known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- 05.0041 (34 completions)
- Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects (21 completions)
- Industrial and Product Design (11 completions)
- Medical Illustration/Medical Illustrator (11 completions)
- Painting (9 completions)
- Game and Interactive Media Design (8 completions)
- Graphic Design (7 completions)
- Photography (6 completions)
- Drawing (6 completions)
- Sculpture (4 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Cleveland Institute of Art a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 61.35%; completion rate 57.71%; median earnings $42,509 at 10 years; net price $29,208. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$49,400
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Cleveland Institute of Art was $49,400.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$29,208
2024 Value
In 2024 Cleveland Institute of Art had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $29,208.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$116,832 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$29,208 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$197,600 4-Year Tuition
$12,850 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,700 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$63,950 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$255,800 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Cleveland Institute of Art.
Financial Aid by Income Level
42.23% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
78.80% 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 Cleveland Institute of Art 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 Cleveland Institute of Art 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 | $36,509 | $36,509 | $28,458 |
| 2014 | $37,565 | $37,565 | $31,236 |
| 2015 | $38,487 | $38,487 | $32,033 |
| 2016 | $39,585 | $39,585 | $29,243 |
| 2017 | $40,655 | $40,655 | $34,119 |
| 2018 | $42,055 | $42,055 | $32,535 |
| 2019 | $43,305 | $43,305 | $32,707 |
| 2020 | $44,385 | $44,385 | $35,626 |
| 2021 | $45,495 | $45,495 | $30,692 |
| 2022 | $46,460 | $46,460 | $32,681 |
| 2023 | $47,880 | $47,880 | $32,072 |
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
61.35% Acceptance Rate
963 Total Applicants
542 Students Admitted
123 First-Time Students Enrolled
22.69% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1193
ACT Average: 23
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Cleveland Institute of Art reported total enrollment of about 539 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 26% male and 74% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (62.3%), Black or African American (15.6%), and Hispanic or Latino (11.1%). About 42.23% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 26.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
99.4% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Cleveland Institute of Art in 2024 is 539 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 562 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
87.8%
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 62.3%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
49.14% 100% Completion Time
57.71% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 49.14% of students graduating from Cleveland Institute of Art completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- 05.0041: 12% male / 88% female
- Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects: 38% male / 62% female
- Industrial and Product Design: 55% male / 45% 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 Cleveland Institute of Art.
Return on Investment
$27,000 Median Student Debt
$42,509 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
63.52% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
263.85% Return on Investment
6.4 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Cleveland Institute of Art.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 16 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. 05.0041: 34 completions
2. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects: 21 completions
3. Industrial and Product Design: 11 completions
4. Medical Illustration/Medical Illustrator: 11 completions
5. Painting: 9 completions
6. Game and Interactive Media Design: 8 completions
7. Graphic Design: 7 completions
8. Photography: 6 completions
9. Drawing: 6 completions
Most popular programs at Cleveland Institute of Art.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Cleveland Institute of Art graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Cleveland Institute of Art from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 47.1%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $7,134
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $14,182
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Cleveland Institute of Art is a private non-profit institution located in Cleveland, 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, Industrial and Product Design. Enrollment is approximately 539 students. Student body composition includes White (62.3%), Black or African American (15.6%), Hispanic or Latino (11.1%). The admission rate is 61.35%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1193. The 150%-time completion rate is 57.71%. Approximately 42.23% of students receive Pell Grants. About 26.7% 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
Cleveland, OH 44106-1710
Region: Great Lakes
Insights and Analysis
Cleveland Institute of Art 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 Cleveland Institute of Art located?
Cleveland Institute of Art is located in Cleveland, OH.
What is Cleveland Institute of Art's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Cleveland Institute of Art is 61.4% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 963 applicants and 542 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Cleveland Institute of Art cost?
Reported tuition is $49,400 and average net price is $29,208 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,850 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Cleveland Institute of Art?
Cleveland Institute of Art reports undergraduate enrollment of about 562 students, White (62.3%), Black or African American (15.6%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Cleveland Institute of Art?
About 26.7% of students at Cleveland Institute of Art are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Cleveland Institute of Art?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Cleveland Institute of Art reports midpoint SAT about 1193 and midpoint ACT about 23.
What do graduates of Cleveland Institute of Art earn?
Median earnings are $33,148 six years after entry and $42,509 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Cleveland Institute of Art?
The 150%-time completion rate is 57.7% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Cleveland Institute of Art students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $27,000.
Is Cleveland Institute of Art public or private?
Cleveland Institute of Art is a private nonprofit institution located in Cleveland, OH.
Is Cleveland Institute of Art an HBCU?
No. Cleveland Institute of Art is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Cleveland Institute of Art a tribal college?
No. Cleveland Institute of Art is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
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
- Cleveland, 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.