California College of the Arts (CCA) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About California College of the Arts
Artists here learn by making. California College of the Arts sits in San Francisco's creative orbit and has a reputation for studio-based learning across art, design, architecture, writing, and film. Light filled studios, fabrication shops, digital labs, and gallery spaces back up the work, with advising, counseling, and career services that feel practical rather than flashy. You'll see critiques that push ideas forward and cross-disciplinary projects that blur lines on purpose.
Student life revolves around pop-up shows, visiting speakers, film nights, and open studios that draw the local crowd. The culture skews collaborative, curious, and socially engaged, with plenty of room for independent voices. Career prep shows up in portfolio reviews, internships, and connections to Bay Area studios, museums, nonprofits, and tech-adjacent teams. Step off campus and you're close to major arts venues, neighborhood galleries, and waterfront parks. And the end-of-term exhibitions are a real scene.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
California College of the Arts (CCA) offers 25 degree programs across 8 major academic fields, graduating approximately 444 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Arts (16 programs, 214 graduates), Media Tech (1 programs, 68 graduates), Interdisciplinary (2 programs, 66 graduates), Computer & IT (1 programs, 38 graduates) and Architecture (2 programs, 30 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Arts (16 programs, 214 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illustration | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0410 |
| Design and Visual Communications | 32 |
|
Master's
|
50.0401 |
| Industrial and Product Design | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0404 |
| Cinematography and Film Production | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0602 |
| Studio Arts, General | 20 |
|
Master's
|
50.0702 |
| Fashion and Apparel Design | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0407 |
| Painting | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0708 |
| Intermedia and Multimedia | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0706 |
| Art History and Conservation | 6 |
|
Master's
|
50.0703 |
| Jewelry Arts | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0713 |
| Photography | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0605 |
| Sculpture | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0709 |
| Printmaking | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0710 |
| Game and Interactive Media Design | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0411 |
| Ceramic Arts | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0711 |
| Fiber and Textile Arts | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0712 |
Media Tech (1 programs, 68 graduates)
Digital Media Technologies and Broadcasting Systems
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animation and Interactive Technology | 68 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10.0304 |
Interdisciplinary (2 programs, 66 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human-Computer Interaction | 65 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
30.3101 |
| Museum Studies | 1 |
|
Master's
|
30.1401 |
Computer & IT (1 programs, 38 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Graphics | 38 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0803 |
Architecture (2 programs, 30 graduates)
Architectural Design and Construction Planning Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Building Sciences | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
04.0902 |
| Interior Architecture | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
04.0501 |
Business (1 programs, 17 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management Science | 17 |
|
Master's
|
52.1301 |
English (1 programs, 9 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Writing | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
23.1302 |
Production (1 programs, 2 graduates)
Manufacturing Technology, Quality Control and Industrial Arts
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture Design and Manufacturing | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
48.0702 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at California College of the Arts (CCA).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about California College of the Arts (CCA)
How much does it cost to attend California College of the Arts (CCA)?
The annual tuition at California College of the Arts (CCA) is $57,946 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $84,409 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $21,165 (on) / $21,408 (off) and books and supplies $1,500.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does California College of the Arts offer?
California College of the Arts (CCA) offers 25 academic programs across 8 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Master's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (16 programs)
- Digital Media Technologies and Broadcasting Systems (1 programs)
- Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs (2 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (1 programs)
- Architectural Design and Construction Planning Services (2 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for California College of the Arts?
California College of the Arts (CCA) has an 73.4% acceptance rate and a 6.9% yield rate, making it selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 3,661
- Students admitted: 2,687
- Students enrolled: 186
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at California College of the Arts?
California College of the Arts (CCA) provides financial aid to 18% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $29,175 and average loans of $9,197.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,834
- State/Local grants: $3,897
- Institutional grants: $27,116
- Federal loans: $5,550
The university supports 178 students with grants and 108 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for California College of the Arts graduates?
California College of the Arts (CCA) graduates earn a median salary of $38,308 after 6 years and $49,414 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $18,349 (25th percentile) to $93,969 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $100,300 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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