Art Center College of Design is a private nonprofit 4-year college in Pasadena, California with 2,017 undergraduates. It admits 75% of applicants, costs an average of $48,389 a year after grants and graduates 81% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Art Center College of Design acceptance rate and admissions
Art Center College of Design admitted 75% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Neither required nor recommended (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
Art Center College of Design tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees (2025-26) | $56,308 |
|---|---|
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $77,990 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $48,389 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $48,389 a year after grants and scholarships, $29,601 less than the full cost of attendance.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run Art Center College of Design's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Art Center College of Design graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 81% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $75,975 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $27,651 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 36% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Art Center College of Design majors and what graduates earn
Art Center College of Design awarded bachelor's degrees in 8 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from engineering-related fields ($92,293).
All 8 majors at Art Center College of Design
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering-Related Fields | 60 | $81,020 | $92,293 | $34,875 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | 37 | $88,147 | $90,188 | $55,937 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | 12 | n/a | $77,401 | n/a |
| Graphic and industrial design | 198 | $45,205 | $76,093 | $26,875 |
| Film and photography | 49 | n/a | $49,933 | $27,541 |
| Fine and studio arts | 12 | n/a | $33,073 | n/a |
| Graphic Communications | 95 | $48,298 | n/a | $29,000 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 22 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at Art Center College of Design
8 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 8 graduate programs
| Program | Degree | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic and industrial design | Master's | 32 | n/a | n/a |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | Master's | 23 | n/a | n/a |
| Fine and studio arts | Master's | 18 | n/a | n/a |
| Film and photography | Master's | 14 | n/a | n/a |
| Engineering-Related Fields | Master's | 10 | n/a | n/a |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | Master's | 10 | n/a | n/a |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | Master's | 9 | n/a | n/a |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | Master's | 7 | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 2,017 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 60% women, 40% men
- 9 students for every faculty member
- Setting: midsize city
- Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Art Center College of Design?
Art Center College of Design admitted 75% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does Art Center College of Design cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $56,308. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $48,389 a year in 2024-25.
Is Art Center College of Design test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, Art Center College of Design reported that test scores were: neither required nor recommended. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at Art Center College of Design?
81% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do Art Center College of Design graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $75,975 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in California · colleges in Pasadena · Art Center College of Design on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.