Art Center College of Design campus

Built for Students, by Students

Help verify tuition, housing costs, and campus life data

Private nonprofit, 4-Year
Pasadena, CA

Art Center College of Design

Explore one of the most distinguished institutions in CA. Your pathway to a brighter future begins here.

Annual Tuition

$51,640

Average Sticker Price

Admission Rate

75.0%

Selectivity Level

Graduation Rate

79.2%

Completion Success

Median Earnings

$71,958

10y Career Outlook

About Institution

Art Center College of Design is a distinguished Private nonprofit, 4-Year institution located in Pasadena, CA. With a competitive tuition profile of $51,640, it remains an attractive choice for ambitious students. A strong graduation rate of 79.2% underscores its academic rigor and effective student support systems.

Investment Return

Estimated College ROI Analysis

Total 4-Year Cost

$206,560

Based on sticker tuition

Estimated Payback

4.9 yrs

Time to recoup investment

Annual Earnings Boost

+$41,958

vs. $30k HS diploma baseline

10-Year Net Gain

+$213,020

Cumulative earnings advantage minus total college cost

20-Year Net Gain

+$632,600

Long-term projected return on your education investment

ROI estimates use the BLS national median of $30,000/yr for high school diploma holders as a baseline. Actual results vary based on major, career path, location, and individual circumstances. Median graduate debt at Art Center College of Design is $31,000.

Student Community

Gender Balance

Women
Men
59.1%
40.9%
FemininityMasculinity

Ethnic Diversity

International
44.3%
Asian
30.4%
Hispanic
10.1%
White
9.4%
Two or more
3.9%
Black
1.5%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0.0%
Unknown
0.0%

Security Audit

Safety Rating: 3-Year Aggregate

Incidents

1

Burglary

0

Theft

0

Assault

0

Robbery

0

Rape

1

Arson

0

Murder

0

Financial Outlook

Total Sticker Price

$51,640

Estimated cost before aid.

Net Price By Income

$0 - $30k$42,545
$30k - $48k$40,905
$48k - $75k$46,301
$75k+$52,165

Debt & Financial Aid

Median Debt (grads)$31,000
Pell Grant Recipients24.5%
Using Federal Loans35.6%
Historical 3yr Loan Repayment69.7%

Repayment measured in 2016–17; this federal measure was discontinued.

Grant Aid (IPEDS 2021)

Avg. Total Grant Aid$16,665
Pell Grant Recipients26.0%

* Most students receive significant grants and scholarships, reducing the actual cost. Grant data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey.

Quick Overview

Faculty Ratio

N/A

Retention

82.2%

Success

79.2%

In-State Cost

$51,640

Age 25+ Students

15.6%

Carnegie Class

Master's: Smaller

Working at 6yr

474 students

Security Benchmark

Campus vs. City Comparison (Per 100k)

Violent Offenses

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
Pasadena (City-wide)0.0

Property Crimes

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
Pasadena (City-wide)0.0

Stats sourced from institutional reports and municipal data. These rates provide a standardized baseline for comparing safety across different environments.