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Pasadena , CA
Art Center College of Design, located in Pasadena, California, is a renowned institution dedicated to providing excellence in art and design education. Founded in 1930, it has a rich history of producing influential designers and artists who have made significant contributions to various industries. The college offers a wide range of programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields such as industrial design, graphic design, film, transportation design, and more.
At Art Center, students are exposed to a rigorous curriculum centered around hands-on learning and practical experiences. The college emphasizes the development of both technical skills and creative thinking, aiming to produce graduates who are well-rounded and equipped to tackle real-world challenges. The faculty comprises experienced professionals who are experts in their respective fields and bring a wealth of industry knowledge to the classroom.
Art Center's campus is a vibrant and inspiring environment that nurtures creativity and fosters collaboration. With state-of-the-art facilities and high-tech resources, students have access to cutting-edge tools and equipment to bring their visions to life. The college also has strong ties to the creative industry, providing students with numerous networking and internship opportunities, helping them forge connections and launch their careers in the competitive art and design industry. Overall, Art Center College of Design is a highly respected institution that continues to produce talented and innovative artists and designers who shape the future of visual communication, innovation, and creativity.
Art Center College of Design is a private comprehensive higher education institution located in Pasadena, CA and set in a suburban environment. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 76%. The freshman retention rate at Art Center College of Design is 86% and the six-year graduation rate is 79%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is September 14. Learn more about what Art Center College of Design has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
2,040
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$55,182
Tuition
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
79%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Learning as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission increases your chances of getting admitted. Discover some vital info about admission policy and requirements at Art Center College of Design.
In 2025, the school accepted 1,113 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. With a rich history of academic excellence, it offers an unparalleled educational experience.
Test Scores
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.84. That means you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by September 14.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Art Center College of Design was 86%, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 79%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Art Center College of Design in 2025 was 2,310.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 19% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 2,040, 891 of which were foreign students. 98 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 787 male and 1,259 female full-time students in 2025. 100 full-time graduate men and 106 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 603 Asian students and 24 Afro-American students in 2025. 187 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 94 as multirace. The school also had 4 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 1 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 9 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition price for this university.
In 2025, tuition amounted to $55,182 for all full-time domestic students. As Art Center College of Design is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $1,126 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to think about the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to give about $4,000 for books and supplies during their time at Art Center College of Design.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Art Center College of Design was $20,224 in 2025. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school cost $13,528, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $13,528.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 55,182 |
| Room and Board | $ 20,224 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 4,000 |
| Total Expense | $ 79,406 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial help: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid you might get at Art Center College of Design.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Art Center College of Design is available to international students.
Majors
Faculty
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Art Center College of Design was 9:1: that means 9 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio.
Campus Life
Not everything at Art Center College of Design is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about students' life at Art Center College of Design.
It has a campus size of 163 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
There are 61 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. The student organization with the highest level of popularity is Fine Art Society, followed by Art Center Business Club and Stop Motion Club. Other popular organizations at Art Center College of Design are Christian Fellowship and ACSG.
Student Services
At Art Center College of Design, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
All in all, campus life at Art Center College of Design is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Art Center College of Design.
Career Counselling
At Art Center College of Design, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career.
FAQ
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Art Center College of Design is located in Pasadena, CA.
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Art Center College of Design offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Art Center College of Design is 55,182 USD, based on the most recent data.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Art Center College of Design is 76%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Art Center College of Design is 86%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
