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California College of the Arts

San Francisco, CA·Private·www.cca.edu/

Campus Identity

Beach TownGraduate Programs

California College of the Arts is a small private nonprofit university in San Francisco, CA. Approximately 990 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 91% acceptance rate. The campus sits in a beach town, just 6 miles from the ocean. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 55/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

California College of the Arts is a small private nonprofit university in San Francisco, CA. Approximately 990 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 91% acceptance rate. The campus sits in a beach town, just 6 miles from the ocean. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 55/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

91%
Acceptance Rate
2,371 applications
Test Optional
Test Policy
No test scores required
$51,792
In-State Tuition
+$520 fees
$51,792
Out-of-State Tuition
+$520 fees
$22,073
Room & Board
990
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
8%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
N/A
Athletics
Selectivity91% · 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

6 miles

Ocean Beach SF, CA

Ski Access

136 miles

Dodge Ridge Ski Area

Weather

Warm Climate

57°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

136 mi away
862 skiable acres10 lifts
137 mi away
1,680 skiable acres10 lifts
142 mi away
2,300 skiable acres13 lifts

Beach Town

Ocean Beach SF, CA

Ocean access within 6.1 miles

6 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · San Francisco, CA

52°Jan54°Feb56°Mar56°Apr58°May60°Jun60°Jul62°Aug63°Sep62°Oct57°Nov53°Dec

Station: SAN FRANCISCO DOWNTOWN · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

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

55/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety495370
49/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
53/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
70/100
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
$51,792
Fees
$520
Room & Board
$22,073
Total
$74,385
App Fee: $70

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

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

21 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Design and Applied ArtsBachelor's
84 grads/yr$59,238
Human Computer InteractionMaster's
56 grads/yr
Graphic CommunicationsBachelor's
46 grads/yr$31,068
Fine and Studio ArtsBachelor's
45 grads/yr$44,012
Design and Applied ArtsMaster's
36 grads/yr

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

Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's10 grads$157,122
Human Computer Interaction
Bachelor's29 grads$149,149
Design and Applied Arts
Bachelor's84 grads$59,238
Fine and Studio Arts
Master's30 grads$57,717
Fine and Studio Arts
Bachelor's45 grads$44,012
Graphic Communications
Bachelor's46 grads$31,068
Human Computer Interaction
Master's56 grads
Design and Applied Arts
Master's36 grads
Computer Software and Media Applications
Bachelor's29 grads
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
Bachelor's26 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 California College of the Arts located?

California College of the Arts is located in San Francisco, CA. The main campus address is 145 Hooper Street, San Francisco, CA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at California College of the Arts?

California College of the Arts has an acceptance rate of 91%, making it accessible. Out of 2,371 applicants, 2,160 were admitted in the most recent year. 990 students enrolled.

How much does it cost to attend California College of the Arts?

For the 2023–24 academic year, California College of the Arts charges $51,792/year in tuition. Including room and board ($22,073/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $52,312/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use California College of the Arts's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for California College of the Arts?

The undergraduate application fee at California College of the Arts is $70. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Is California College of the Arts the right fit for me?

Whether California College of the Arts is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (91% admit rate), cost ($51,792/year out-of-state), campus culture in San Francisco, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh California College of the Arts against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with California College of the Arts directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
San Francisco, CA
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's
School Year Weather
Warm · 57°F avg
App Fee
$70
On Campus Safety Score
55/100
Nearest Airport
Oakland, CA (OAK) · 10 mialso SFO (10 mi), SQL (19 mi)

Location

San Francisco, 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.