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Art Center College of Design

Pasadena, CA·Private nonprofit·2,054 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $62,300 within 10 years; strong 83% graduation rate.

75%
Accept
2,054
Students
$50,209
Net Price
83%
Grad Rate
$62,300
Earnings
10 yr
$26,000
Debt

About This School

Art Center College of Design is a private nonprofit institution located in Pasadena, California with approximately 2,054 undergraduate students enrolled. Art Center College of Design has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 75%. The average net price after financial aid is $50,209 per year. The graduation rate is 83%, and the typical graduate earns $62,300 within 10 years of enrollment.

The ArtCenter College of Design is a private art college in Pasadena, California.

This is a strong option for students serious about design careers — the 83% graduation rate signals real commitment from students who enroll, and median earnings of $62,300 a decade out are solid for an art school. That said, the $50,209 average net price is steep, and with $26,000 in median debt at graduation, you'll want to make sure financial aid and scholarships bring the cost to a manageable level before committing. Worth considering if you're laser-focused on design and have done the math on what you can realistically afford.

Founded
1930
Setting
Midsize city

Popular Programs

Visual & Performing Arts58%
Computer Science4%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Mike ShinodaMichael BayZack SnyderJoe HahnBruce SterlingAldis HodgeEvan SpiegelAriana RichardsSyd MeadThomas KinkadeHiroshi SugimotoDave Dave

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$51,640
Out-of-State Tuition
$51,640
Avg Net Price
$50,209
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants25%
Median debt at graduation$26,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
83%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
82%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$62,300
after enrollment
Median Debt
$26,000
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$26,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$48,800
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$62,300
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.4x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White9%
Black2%
Hispanic/Latino10%
Asian30%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,054 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Art Center College of Design

1700 Lida St

Pasadena, CA 91103

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in California

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Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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