Art Center College of Design Admissions

Art Center College of Design Admissions Overview:

Students do not have to submit scores from the ACT or SAT—they can if they have taken either test, but are not required to do so. Since the Art Center College of Design is an art school, an applicant's portfolio is the most important part of the application. Students must submit an application and high school transcripts as well, but the portfolio carries the most weight in determining admittance. Interested students should check out the school's website for detailed instructions on what to include in the portfolio--which varies depending on a student's intended major--and how to submit it.

Admissions Data (2016):

• Art Center College of Design Acceptance Rate: 69%
• Art Center College of Design has test-optional admissions
• Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
  • SAT Critical Reading: - / -
  • SAT Math: - / -
  • SAT Writing: - / -
    • What's a good SAT score?
  • ACT Composite: - / -
  • ACT English: - / -
  • ACT Math: - / -
    • What's a good ACT score?

Art Center College of Design Description:

The Art Center College of Design has two campuses in Pasadena, California. The main Hillside Campus in the hills over the city features the massive bridge building designed by architect Craig Ellwood. The relatively new South Campus (opened in 2004) occupies a former aviation facility build during WWII. It is home to several graduate programs, a print shop, and community programs such as Art Center at Night. Downtown Los Angeles is 12 miles away, and Caltech and Occidental College are each about five miles away. Art Center's industrial design programs--both graduate and undergraduate--are often ranked among the best in the country. Students at the Art Center have many opportunities to participate in campus clubs, organizations, and community projects. The college does not have any intercollegiate athletic programs. The college also does not have any residence halls, but the school has an off-campus housing website and will assist students looking for lodging during college.

Enrollment (2016):

• Total Enrollment: 2,138 (1,908 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 48% Male / 52% Female
• 86% Full-time

Costs (2016 - 17):

• Tuition and Fees: $40,596
• Books: $4,000 (why so much?)
• Room and Board: $13,530 (off campus)
• Other Expenses: $6,492
• Total Cost: $64,618

Art Center College of Design Financial Aid (2015 - 16):

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 63%
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 54%
  • Loans: 48%
• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $17,393
  • Loans: $5,945

Academic Programs:

• Most Popular Majors: Advertising, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Photography

Graduation and Retention Rates:

• First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 81%
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 28%
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 73%

Data Source:

National Center for Educational Statistics

If You Like Art Center College of Design, You May Also Like These Schools:

Students looking for an art school with generally accessible admissions, like Art Center College of Design, should also consider Moore College of Art and Design, Maryland Institute College of Art, Otis College of Art and Design, and Savannah College of Art and Design.

For applicants interested in a small liberal arts school (1,000-3,000 students) in California, other choices similar to ACCD include Fresno Pacific University, Occidental College, Claremont McKenna College, and Scripps College.