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San Francisco , CA
California College of the Arts (CCA) is a private art and design college located in San Francisco and Oakland, California. With a history dating back more than 115 years, CCA has established itself as one of the leading art institutions in the United States. The college offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in areas such as fine arts, design, architecture, writing, and more. CCA prides itself on fostering innovation, creativity, and social responsibility among its students, while providing them with the tools, knowledge, and skills necessary for successful careers in the arts.
One of the key distinguishing factors of California College of the Arts is its multidisciplinary approach to education. The curriculum integrates various fields of study, enabling students to explore and combine diverse artistic practices. This encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and experimentation, allowing students to develop their artistic voice and push the boundaries of traditional art and design. CCA also emphasizes sustainability and social justice in its programs, reflecting the college's commitment to addressing current global challenges through creative solutions.
In addition to its academic programs, California College of the Arts offers numerous opportunities for students to engage with the thriving art communities in San Francisco and Oakland. The college has strong connections with local galleries, museums, and design studios, providing students with access to internships, exhibitions, and other professional experiences. CCA's vibrant campus and innovative facilities further enhance the learning environment, providing students with state-of-the-art equipment, studios, and workshops to bring their artistic visions to life. Overall, California College of the Arts offers a rich and dynamic learning experience for aspiring artists and designers seeking to make a positive impact on the world through their creative pursuits.
Located in San Francisco, CA and set in an urban environment, California College of the Arts is a private comprehensive higher education institution. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 91%. The freshman retention rate at California College of the Arts is 87% and the six-year graduation rate is 61%.
To find out more about what California College of the Arts has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
1,004
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$59,376
Tuition
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
61%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly improve. Learn some important facts about admission at California College of the Arts.
In 2025, the school accepted 2,160 new students.
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. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for California College of the Arts was 87% in 2025, a testament to the outstanding educational experience provided by this institution.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 61%.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. 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
In 2025, the school enrolled 1,308 students.
That year, the school had 25% of students coming from another state. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 1,004, 316 of which were foreign students. The school admitted a total of 75 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 399 male and 750 female full-time students in 2025, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at California College of the Arts.
This school had 155 Asian students and 40 Afro-American students in 2025. 163 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 68 identified with more than one race. The school also had 2 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 3 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 37 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some important information on California College of the Arts costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at California College of the Arts? Here is what you need to know.
In 2025, tuition amounted to $59,376 for all full-time domestic students. California College of the Arts is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $850 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
The estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant financial factor. Most students have to allocate about $1,500 for books and supplies during their time at California College of the Arts.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
In 2025, the price of room and board at California College of the Arts was $22,099 per academic year. If you only needed a dorm room, it cost $15,472 for the 2025 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $15,876.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 59,376 |
| Room and Board | $ 22,099 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,500 |
| Total Expense | $ 82,975 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial aid can be a great deal for a number of students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid at California College of the Arts.
The most recent records show that 92 freshmen received some sort of financial help.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet other eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 474 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $1,576,984, and state $983,454. The students of California College of the Arts received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $14,070,354, and external in the amount of $723,526.
$16,030
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 449 students overall (including freshmen) at California College of the Arts in 2025. 91 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $8,281,829. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $23,190 USD.
Majors
Faculty
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at California College of the Arts was 9:1: that means 9 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. According to the most recent information, there are 330 faculty members at this school. This number included 162 men and 168 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at California College of the Arts.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some details about students' life at California College of the Arts.
Its campus spans 11 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists only of current students and/or alumni.
There are 12 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. The student organization that has the biggest membership is Beyond Barriers: Disability Pride & Support Group, followed by 24 Frames Animation Club and Hang Out With You Club. Other popular student organizations at this school are The Band of Musicians and Black Brilliance.
You have a talent for media and communication? California College of the Arts publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
California College of the Arts offers a number of services important for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
All in all, campus life at California College of the Arts 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 California College of the Arts.
Career Counselling
There are a job bank and job fairs. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career.
Job Placement
Being aware of the projected salary upon finishing your studies can be important in determining if a specific school is in line with your career ambitions.
Students who find employment within six months of graduating can expect an average base annual starting salary of 62,480 USD.
$62,480
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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California College of the Arts is located in San Francisco, CA.
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According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 59,376 USD per academic year for California College of the Arts.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for California College of the Arts is 91%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for California College of the Arts is 87%.
Contact Information
California College of the Arts
145 Hooper Street
San Francisco , CA
94107
800 447-1278
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.
