Art Center College of Design: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Pasadena, California · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective
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Art Center College of Design is a private nonprofit university in Pasadena, California that admits about 75% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $48,661 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Design and Applied Arts, Engineering-Related Fields and Graphic Communications, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 0.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Art Center College of Design is a private institution located in Pasadena, California with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Art Center College of Design admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 75%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $48,661 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Art Center College of Design?
Art Center College of Design admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.
SAT and ACT scores Art Center College of Design typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
How much does Art Center College of Design actually cost?
Published tuition is $54,170 for in-state students and $54,170 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $48,661 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 22% of students receive Pell Grants.
Most popular majors at Art Center College of Design
The most popular undergraduate programs at Art Center College of Design, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Design and Applied Arts, Engineering-Related Fields and Graphic Communications. Across all programs, Art Center College of Design confers roughly 498 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Design and Applied Arts program report a median income of about $81,385 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts | 228 | $81,385 |
| Engineering-Related Fields | 70 | — |
| Graphic Communications | 62 | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 47 | $33,995 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | 34 | — |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | 22 | — |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 21 | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 14 | — |
Is Art Center College of Design safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Art Center College of Design disclosed 0 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 0.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 0 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in California parents ask about
- California Institute of the Arts32% acceptance
- Whittier College81% acceptance
- Stanford University4% acceptance
- University of California-Berkeley11% acceptance
- University of California-Los Angeles9% acceptance
- University of Southern California10% acceptance
- University of California-Davis42% acceptance
- University of California-Irvine29% acceptance
Next steps for Art Center College of Design
Common questions parents ask about Art Center College of Design
What GPA do I need for Art Center College of Design?
Art Center College of Design admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.
What SAT or ACT score does Art Center College of Design typically admit?
Art Center College of Design does not publish standardized test ranges in the most recent reporting cycle. Scores are optional here, and a strong one can still help when the rest of the application is borderline.
How much does Art Center College of Design actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Art Center College of Design after grants and scholarships is $48,661 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $54,170. Budget against the net figure.
Is Art Center College of Design realistic for my child?
Art Center College of Design admits 75% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $48,661 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Art Center College of Design?
Art Center College of Design accepts about 75% of applicants. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is Art Center College of Design a public or private school, and where is it located?
Art Center College of Design is a private nonprofit institution located in Pasadena, California.
What are the most popular majors at Art Center College of Design?
The largest undergraduate majors at Art Center College of Design by annual graduates are Design and Applied Arts, Engineering-Related Fields and Graphic Communications. The school awards about 498 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Art Center College of Design safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Art Center College of Design reported 0 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 0.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers