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Columbus College of Art & Design

Columbus, OH·Private nonprofit·882 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. earnings-to-debt ratio is tight. a private nonprofit school with 882 students.

68%
Accept
882
Students
$29,439
Net Price
56%
Grad Rate
$39,800
Earnings
10 yr
$27,000
Debt

About This School

Columbus College of Art & Design is a private nonprofit institution located in Columbus, Ohio with approximately 882 undergraduate students enrolled. Columbus College of Art & Design has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 68%. The average net price after financial aid is $29,439 per year. The graduation rate is 56%, and the typical graduate earns $39,800 within 10 years of enrollment.

Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) is a private art school in Columbus, Ohio. It was founded in 1879 as the Columbus Art School and is one of the oldest private art and design colleges in the United States. Located in downtown Columbus, CCAD's campus consists of 11 buildings on 9 acres (36,000 m2) and is adjacent to the Columbus Museum of Art. Approximately 900 full-time students are enrolled.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 61% graduation rate and median earnings of just $39,800 a decade out raise real questions about whether students are finishing and finding financial footing after graduation. That said, the $20,500 median debt is relatively modest for a private art school, and CCAD's downtown Columbus location — right next to the Columbus Museum of Art — offers genuine professional and creative connections that matter in the art and design world. Worth considering if you're serious about a studio-focused education and have a clear career plan, but go in with eyes open about the income-to-cost math.

Founded
1879
Setting
Large city
Avg Faculty Salary
$5,663

Popular Programs

Visual & Performing Arts81%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Alex GreyAlan BeckerDan ScanlonNathan Greno

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Neither required nor recommended

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$40,825
Out-of-State Tuition
$40,825
Avg Net Price
$29,439
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$24,204
$30–48k$27,218
$48–75k$27,534
$75–110k$29,717
$110k+$33,114

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants39%
Median debt at graduation$27,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
56%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
80%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$39,800
after enrollment
Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$32,000
Female graduates$29,000

Gap: 9% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$30,300
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$39,800
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 1.5x

Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.

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

Student Body

White66%
Black12%
Hispanic/Latino9%
Asian4%
Two or more races4%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (882 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Columbus College of Art & Design

60 Cleveland Ave.

Columbus, OH 43215

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Ohio

Browse all Ohio schools →

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.
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