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Art Center College of Design

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

Campus Identity

Ski TownGreek LifeGraduate 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. Greek life is active on 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. Greek life is active on 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
$54,170
2024-25 Tuition
$48,661
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
N/A
Room & Board
2,017
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
32%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
79%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity75% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

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

Campus Lifestyle

Art Center College of Design is a 1,000–4,999, urban school with an active Greek scene. The campus is 20 miles from Santa Monica Beach, CA and 19 miles from Mt. Waterman Ski Lift, LLC.

Greek Life

Active Organizations

Fraternities & sororities present

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

Art Center College of Design students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Mt. Waterman Ski Lift, LLC, 19 miles away. All are within 33 miles of campus.

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

Nearest Beach

Students at Art Center College of Design are 20 miles from Santa Monica Beach, CA.

Santa Monica Beach, CA

Ocean access within 20.4 miles

20 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Pasadena, CA

Pasadena has a warm climate, with winters averaging 56°F in Dec and summers peaking around 77°F in Aug.

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

Art Center College of Design in CA earns a composite safety score of 84/100, rated Pretty Safe among U.S. colleges.

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

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$54,170
Fees
$710
Total
$54,880
App Fee: $50
$48,661avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized 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 2024-25 academic year, Art Center College of Design charges $54,170/year in tuition. Including room and board, the total estimated cost is approximately $48,044/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $48,661/year — what students actually pay. 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), avg net price ($48,661/year after aid), 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.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: 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.