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Art Center College of Design

Pasadena, CA·Private·www.artcenter.edu/

Campus Identity

Ski TownGraduate Programs

Art Center College of Design is a small private nonprofit university in Pasadena, CA. Approximately 2,017 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 75% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 20 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 32 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 84/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Art Center College of Design is a small private nonprofit university in Pasadena, CA. Approximately 2,017 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 75% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 20 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 32 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 84/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

75%
Acceptance Rate
1,461 applications
Test Optional
Test Policy
No test scores required
$47,334
In-State Tuition
+$710 fees
$47,334
Out-of-State Tuition
+$710 fees
N/A
Room & Board
2,017
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
32%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
N/A
Athletics
Selectivity75% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

This school does not require standardized test scores for admission. SAT and ACT submissions are optional.

Campus Lifestyle

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Urban setting

Beach Access

20 miles

Santa Monica Beach, CA

Weather

Hot Climate

63°F avg school-year

Ski Town

19 mi away
32 mi away
290 skiable acres14 lifts
33 mi away
800 skiable acres4 lifts

Nearest Beach

Santa Monica Beach, CA

Ocean access within 20.4 miles

20 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Pasadena, CA

57°Jan58°Feb61°Mar63°Apr66°May71°Jun76°Jul77°Aug76°Sep70°Oct62°Nov56°Dec

Station: PASADENA · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

84/100
Pretty Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety69100100
69/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
100/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
100/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$47,334
Fees
$710
Total
$48,044
App Fee: $50

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

16 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Design and Applied ArtsBachelor's
245 grads/yr$76,093
Graphic CommunicationsBachelor's
79 grads/yr
Engineering-Related FieldsBachelor's
51 grads/yr$92,293
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/TechniciansBachelor's
50 grads/yr$90,188
Film/Video and Photographic ArtsBachelor's
41 grads/yr$49,933

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Engineering-Related Fields
Bachelor's51 grads$92,293
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
Bachelor's50 grads$90,188
Architectural Sciences and Technology
Bachelor's17 grads$77,401
Design and Applied Arts
Bachelor's245 grads$76,093
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
Bachelor's41 grads$49,933
Fine and Studio Arts
Bachelor's18 grads$33,073
Fine and Studio Arts
Master's2 grads$30,188
Graphic Communications
Bachelor's79 grads
Design and Applied Arts
Master's31 grads
Computer Software and Media Applications
Bachelor's20 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Art Center College of Design located?

Art Center College of Design is located in Pasadena, CA. The main campus address is 1700 Lida St, Pasadena, CA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Art Center College of Design?

Art Center College of Design has an acceptance rate of 75%, making it accessible. Out of 1,461 applicants, 1,089 were admitted in the most recent year. 2,017 students enrolled.

How much does it cost to attend Art Center College of Design?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Art Center College of Design charges $47,334/year in tuition. Including room and board, the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $48,044/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Art Center College of Design's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Art Center College of Design?

The undergraduate application fee at Art Center College of Design is $50. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Is Art Center College of Design the right fit for me?

Whether Art Center College of Design is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (75% admit rate), cost ($47,334/year out-of-state), campus culture in Pasadena, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Art Center College of Design against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Art Center College of Design directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Pasadena, CA
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's
School Year Weather
Hot · 63°F avg
App Fee
$50
On Campus Safety Score
84/100
Nearest Airport
Burbank, CA (BUR) · 10 mialso VNY (18 mi), SMO (19 mi)

Location

Pasadena, CA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.