California College of the Arts 2026 Admission 91%, Cost $67k

91.10%

Acceptance Rate

$23,705

Avg.Financial Aid

001127

FAFSA Code

College Search

★ California College of the Arts Report Card

Selectivity

—

91.1% acceptance rate

Academics

B-

61% graduation rate

Class Size

B-

11:1 student-faculty ratio

Value

$60,226 tuition

Grades calculated by The College Monk from IPEDS/NCES data. Methodology: How we grade →

★ Key Facts: California College of the Arts

Institution: California College of the Arts
Type: Private not-for-profit

Data compiled by The College Monk from IPEDS/NCES and official university sources. Last verified July 2026. Citable source →

California College of the Arts

Type Control of Institution - Public/Private
Private, Not-For-Profit
Acceptance Rate:
N/A
Level
4 Years
Religious Affiliation Indicates religious affiliation (denomination) for private not-for-profit institutions that are religiously affiliated.
Not applicable
Accreditation Accreditation is the process by which the quality of learning at various educational institutions are evaluated. Read More.
WASC
Website
www.cca.edu
Student Population Number of Students attending College
990
On Campus Housing Does the institution provide on-campus housing?
Yes

California College of the Arts, nestled in the San Francisco Bay Area, is where you go if you're serious about visual art, design, or architecture. The BFA and MFA programs punch well above their size—faculty are working artists and designers, not just teachers. Studios are open 24/7 because real artists don't keep 9-to-5 hours. You're surrounded by people who've chosen art as their life, not their backup plan.

Expect small classes, critiques that sting in the best way, and access to Bay Area galleries, museums, and design studios. The cost is real, but so is the education and the alumni network in creative industries.

This is for artists who want rigor, community, and proximity to one of the world's creative capitals.

Location & Contact

Address

1111 Eighth Street, San Francisco, California

Contact

Phone: (510) 594-3600

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Rankings

The ranking of a particular college helps a student decide where to apply, which is always a tough decision. The rankings of eductional institutions by Forbes and US News are considered a reliable source by applicants and experts. The ranking of a college is a great way to gauge its performance on several factors like research excellence, the performance of its students after graduation, student experience, and academic success. However, California College of the Arts doesn't feature in the list of top colleges, according to the latest rankings of these two publications.

Admissions

Application Deadline Deadline for application submissions. Please contact the school for more details.
None
Acceptance Rate Percentage of applicants who are accepted in an Institution.
91.10%
SAT Range
N/A
SAT/ACT
Recommended
ACT Range
N/A
High School GPA
Required
Application Fee
$70
Accept Common App
Yes

The students can make the most out of the admission process as the admission at the university is fairly easy. The varsity has 2 admission thresholds. The admission process starts by filling up the form and submitting a fee of $70. It can be concluded that scoring high on a standardised test like SAT or ACT is not an important criterion for California College of the Arts, as the average SAT or ACT score of students is not available publicly. The application process can be completed online. However, if needed, one can also visit the office at 1111 Eighth Street, San Francisco, California 94107-2247, or call (510) 594-3600.

Full Admission Info Find College Scholarships Request Info

Annual Cost to Attend

Net Price Cost of attendance minus any grants and scholarships received.
$53,909
Average Annual Cost
$60,226

Additional Costs:

Books And Supplies
$67,074
Other Fees
$490
Room And Board The charges for an academic year for Rooming accommodations and meals for a typical student.
$12,986
Budget For Other Expenses
$3,450

Total One Year Cost

$67,074

Tuition fees and the cost of living during the course tenure are the next two things that a student should keep in mind before applying to CCA. The total one-year cost on a full-time basis would be somewhere around $69,360. The average annual tuition cost ($51,092), books and supplies ($1,500), room and boarding ($14,071), and budget for other expenses ($3,805) are all included in this cost. For students seeking financial assistance, the college offers a number of options.

Explore Programs Explore Student Loans Explore Tuition and Cost

Academics

Highest Degree Offered The highest degree offered by the Institution.

Master's degree

Student:Faculty Ratio

11:1

Full-Time Retention Rate Percent of the that re-enrolled at the institution as either full- or part-time in the current year.

87%

Part-Time Retention Rate Percent of the that re-enrolled at the institution as either full- or part-time in the current year.

100%

Academic Calendar

Semester

Research Funding per Student

N/A

Faculty Overview

49%

Male Professors

51%

Female Professors

Non-traditional Learning

Evening Degree Programs

Teacher Certification

Distance Education

Study Abroad

Majors

Student Body

Undergraduate Students

1,468

Socio-Economic Diversity Percent of full-time, first-time students receiving an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

29%

Full-time / Part-time

96% / 4%

Students Gender

Male

38%

US National: 44%

Female

62%

US National: 56%

LGBTQIA STUDENT RESOURCE GROUPS

ON CAMPUS WOMEN'S CENTER

Race/Ethnicity

White

22%

Unknown

Black

Hispanic

14%

Two or more races

Non Resident alien

41%

Asian

15%

American Indian/Alaska native

Native Hawaiians/Pacific islander

Geographic Density

High

Unknown Location

25%

Out Of State

34%

In State

35%

Foreign

Economic Diversity

36% percentage of students who recieved an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

Median Household Income

$73,343 per year

Campus Life

Housing

The students can reside on campus and 86% of Freshman Live On-Campus.

On Campus Housing Available

Yes

Freshmen Required to Live on Campus

Freshmen Live on Campus

86%

Undergrads in College Housing

N/A

Averege Housing Cost

$10,136/year

Campus Food

The institution does not provide any meal plan options.

Meal Plan Available

Average Meal Plan Available

N/A

Athletes

Division Sports Nickname

Chimera

School Colors

N/A

Varsity Athletics Association

N/A

Varsity Athletics Conference Primary

Not applicable

Total Male Athletes

N/A

Total Female Athletes

N/A

Intramural Sports

Sports Club

N/A

Campus Security

On-campus housing facilities are offered to the students who wish to remain nearby. The normal expense for on-campus housing is $14,071 per year. Several dining and meal plan options are available for the students at CCA. The college considers the safety and security of its students to be paramount. At CCA, campus safety and security features include 24-hr security patrol, campus emergency phones and 24-hr escort safety rides. There are around 36% male and 64% female students enrolled at the university.

24-Hour Security Patrol

Campus Emergency Phones

24-Hour Escort Safety rides

Mobile Campus Emergency Alert

After Graduation

Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation

$29,400/year

Median Earnings 10 Years After Graduation

$37,200/year

Median Total Debt After Graduation The median cumulative federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated.

$25,500 - $42,250

Typical Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 4.53% interest rate.

$265 - $438

Outcomes 8 Years of Attending

Show data for students who

and started their studies

Out of 7,811 students

30% Graduated

10% Still Enrolled

15% Transfer

1% Withdraw

Financial Aid

Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid.

91%

Average Aid Per Year

$23,705

Students Receiving Federal Grants

26%

Average Aid Per Year

$5,230

Students Receiving State Aid

16%

Average Aid Per Year

$4,522

Students Receiving Institutional Grants

91%

Average Aid Per Year

$21,468

Average Grant & Scholarship by Family Income Aid awarded based on the family income.

Income

Average Amount

< $30K

$36,453

$30K - $48K

$33,853

$48K - $75K

$31,428

$75K - $110K

$29,416

> $110K

$19,499

Total Non-Needs based Scholarships/Grants

$13,045,613

The financial aid department of California College of the Arts helps students by assisting them with scholarships, grants, and student loans in the event that they find the fees and the cost of living at the campus to be expensive. The average financial aid at California College of the Arts is around $22,072 and the federal grant is $5,082. The college provides financial assistance in the form of state-level aid worth $3,850 and institutional aid worth $22,072. At CCA, the total amount of non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to students stands at $13,045,613 per year.

Explore Financial Aid & Scholarships

Frequently Asked Questions About California College of the Arts

How hard is it to get into California College of the Arts?

California College of the Arts is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 91.1%. Strong applicants typically have above-average test scores, a rigorous course load, and compelling extracurricular activities.

How much does California College of the Arts cost?

Tuition at California College of the Arts is approximately $60,226 per year before financial aid. Room, board, fees, and personal expenses add to the total cost of attendance. Most students receive scholarships or financial aid that reduces the net price.

How many students attend California College of the Arts?

California College of the Arts enrolls approximately 990 students across its programs.

What is the graduation rate at California College of the Arts?

The graduation rate at California College of the Arts is 61%, reflecting the percentage of students who complete their degree within the standard timeframe.

What is the student-faculty ratio at California College of the Arts?

The student-faculty ratio at California College of the Arts is 11:1, meaning students typically have good access to faculty for mentoring, research, and smaller class experiences.

Is California College of the Arts a public or private university?

California College of the Arts is a private not-for-profit institution.

When is the application deadline for California College of the Arts?

Application deadlines at California College of the Arts vary by program. Early Decision and Early Action applicants typically submit in November, while Regular Decision deadlines fall in early January. Always check the official admissions website for the current cycle's dates.

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California College of the Arts — 2026 Profile - San Francisco, California

★ California College of the Arts Report Card

★ Key Facts: California College of the Arts

California College of the Arts

Location & Contact

Rankings

Admissions

Annual Cost to Attend

Academics

Majors