ArtCenter College of Design

School Overview

ArtCenter College of Design is located in Pasadena, CA, 91103. The university is ranked #34 among National Universities by U.S. News & World Report. It offers programs at the bachelor’s degree level, serving students with a range of academic interests and career aspirations.

ArtCenter College of Design has an acceptance rate of 76%, providing broad access to higher education and welcoming students from diverse academic backgrounds. The average high school GPA among enrolled freshmen is 3.8.

With just 2,040 undergraduates, ArtCenter College of Design provides an intimate academic setting where small class sizes and close faculty mentorship are central to the student experience. The student-to-faculty ratio is 8:01, meaning professors are accessible for office hours, research mentorship, and one-on-one guidance. Approximately 95% of classes have fewer than 20 students, fostering the kind of seminar-style discussion and hands-on collaboration that deepens real understanding. The institution achieves a four-year graduation rate of 35%, a strong indicator that students receive the support they need to finish on time and move into their careers or further study.

The most popular fields of study at ArtCenter College of Design include Visual and Performing Arts (53% of students, median early-career salary: $81,385), Engineering / Engineering-Related Technologies / Technicians (20% of students), and Communications Technologies / Technicians and Support Services (20% of students). These enrollment patterns reflect the institution's strengths and the career interests of its student body, giving prospective students a clear sense of the academic culture and post-graduation opportunities available here.

However, the average net price after financial aid is $48,735, which is the amount most aided students actually pay — often considerably less than the sticker price. For families evaluating the return on a college investment, these figures — combined with ArtCenter College of Design's academic reputation and graduate outcomes — provide a concrete basis for comparison.

Choosing a college is one of the most significant decisions a student and family will make. ArtCenter College of Design combines nationally recognized academic quality, a favorable student-to-faculty ratio, a diverse range of popular programs to create an environment where students can grow intellectually, build professional skills, and form lasting connections. We encourage prospective students to explore the detailed data on this page to determine whether ArtCenter College of Design is the right fit for their academic and personal goals.