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Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About Columbus College of Art & Design

Set in the heart of Columbus's arts corridor, Columbus College of Art & Design is known for studio-intensive learning, sharp critiques, and faculty with active practices. Students explore visual arts, design, and storytelling in light filled studios, digital labs, fabrication shops, and galleries. Support is practical, with advising, counseling, tutoring, equipment checkout, and a career team focused on strong portfolios.

Campus life leans hands-on and collaborative. You'll find pop-up shows, visiting creatives, student-run spaces, and late-night making. Recreation spills into nearby parks, coffee spots, and street murals. Career prep comes through internships, client briefs, and portfolio reviews with pros. The city adds momentum through agencies and startups close by, capped by a campus-wide showcase that opens the studios to the public.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location: 60 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, Ohio, 43215, USA
Phone: +1 (614) 224-3295
Website: ccad.edu
Unit ID: 202170

Academic & Institutional

Control: Private non-profit institution (tuition + donations)
Accreditation: HLC
Length of Study: Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System: Semester system (two main terms per year)
Award Levels: Bachelor's, Master's
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research 4-Year Focus - Law
Campus Setting: Located in a large city (population of 250,000 or more)
Tuition: In-state: $39,650 (Tuition $39,150 + Fee $500) · Out-of-state: $39,650 (Tuition $39,150 + Fee $500)
Student Profile:
Total Students: 918
Undergraduate: 891
Graduate/Other: 27
Male: 251 Female: 667
Applications:
Total Applicants: 867
Admitted: 622
Enrolled: 192
Acceptance: 71.7% Yield: 30.9%
Staff:
Total: 290 Full-time: 168 Part-time: 122

Degree Programs & Career Salary Prospects

Explore degree programs offered at Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) with detailed career prospects, starting salary ranges, and job opportunities in Ohio. See what you can do with your degree and expected earnings after graduation.

How to use this guide:
Click on any academic field that interests you to expand and view available degree programs. Each program shows potential career paths, median salaries in Ohio vs national averages, and job prospects for graduates. Perfect for answering "What can I do with my degree?" and salary expectations.
Arts (12)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
50.0101 Visual and Performing Arts, General. (PostBacCert)
A general, undifferentiated program that focuses on the visual and performing arts and that may prepare individuals in any of the visual artistic media or performing disciplines.

Graduate Career Earnings in Ohio

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Ohio Avg OH vs US
25-1121 Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary $102,240 $120,330 +$18,090 (+17.7%)
27-1012 Craft Artists $45,340 $38,970 -$6,370 (-14%)
27-1013 Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators $76,450 $37,540 -$38,910 (-50.9%)
27-1019 Artists and Related Workers, All Other $79,490 $83,980 +$4,490 (+5.6%)
27-4021 Photographers $55,650 $35,020 -$20,630 (-37.1%)
50.0201 Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry. (Cert2y+)
A program that focuses on the aesthetics, techniques, and creative processes for designing and fashioning objects in one or more of the handcraft or folk art traditions, and that prepares individuals to create in any of these media.

Graduate Career Earnings in Ohio

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Ohio Avg OH vs US
25-1121 Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary $102,240 $120,330 +$18,090 (+17.7%)
27-1012 Craft Artists $45,340 $38,970 -$6,370 (-14%)
27-1019 Artists and Related Workers, All Other $79,490 $83,980 +$4,490 (+5.6%)
50.0402 Commercial and Advertising Art. (Cert2y+)
A program in the applied visual arts that prepares individuals to use artistic techniques to effectively communicate ideas and information to business and consumer audiences via illustrations and other forms of digital or printed media. Includes instruction in concept design, layout, paste-up, and techniques such as engraving, etching, silkscreen, lithography, offset, drawing and cartooning, painting, collage, and computer graphics.

Graduate Career Earnings in Ohio

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Ohio Avg OH vs US
27-1019 Artists and Related Workers, All Other $79,490 $83,980 +$4,490 (+5.6%)
27-1021 Commercial and Industrial Designers $88,000 $68,900 -$19,100 (-21.7%)
27-1024 Graphic Designers $68,610 $54,260 -$14,350 (-20.9%)
50.0404 Industrial and Product Design. (Cert2y+)
A program in the applied visual arts that prepares individuals to use artistic techniques to effectively communicate ideas and information to business and consumer audiences via the creation of effective forms, shapes, and packaging for manufactured products. Includes instruction in designing in a wide variety of plastic and digital media, prototype construction, design development and refinement, principles of cost saving, and product structure and performance criteria relevant to aesthetic design parameters.

Graduate Career Earnings in Ohio

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Ohio Avg OH vs US
25-1121 Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary $102,240 $120,330 +$18,090 (+17.7%)
27-1021 Commercial and Industrial Designers $88,000 $68,900 -$19,100 (-21.7%)
27-1024 Graphic Designers $68,610 $54,260 -$14,350 (-20.9%)
27-1029 Designers, All Other $78,000 $44,870 -$33,130 (-42.5%)
50.0407 Fashion/Apparel Design. (Cert2y+)
A program that prepares individuals to apply artistic principles and techniques to the professional design of commercial fashions, apparel, and accessories, and the management of fashion development projects. Includes instruction in apparel design; accessory design; the design of men's', women's', and children's' wear; flat pattern design; computer-assisted design and manufacturing; concept planning; designing in specific materials; labor and cost analysis; history of fashion; fabric art and printing; and the principles of management and operations in the fashion industry.

Graduate Career Earnings in Ohio

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Ohio Avg OH vs US
25-1121 Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary $102,240 $120,330 +$18,090 (+17.7%)
27-1022 Fashion Designers $122,430 $67,510 -$54,920 (-44.9%)
50.0408 Interior Design. (Cert2y+)
A program in the applied visual arts that prepares individuals to apply artistic principles and techniques to the professional planning, designing, equipping, and furnishing of residential and commercial interior spaces. Includes instruction in computer applications, drafting, and graphic techniques; principles of interior lighting, acoustics, systems integration, and color coordination; furniture and furnishings; textiles and their finishing; the history of interior design and period styles; basic structural design; building codes and inspection regulations; and applications to office, hotel, factory, restaurant and housing design.

Graduate Career Earnings in Ohio

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Ohio Avg OH vs US
25-1031 Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary $110,360 $67,980 -$42,380 (-38.4%)
27-1025 Interior Designers $71,430 $57,670 -$13,760 (-19.3%)
50.0410 Illustration. (Cert2y+)
A program that prepares individuals to use artistic techniques to develop and execute interpretations of the concepts of authors and designers to specifications. Includes instruction in book illustration, fashion illustration, map illustration, rendering, exhibit preparation, textual layout, cartooning, and the use of various artistic techniques as requested by clients.

Graduate Career Earnings in Ohio

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Ohio Avg OH vs US
25-1121 Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary $102,240 $120,330 +$18,090 (+17.7%)
27-1019 Artists and Related Workers, All Other $79,490 $83,980 +$4,490 (+5.6%)
27-1027 Set and Exhibit Designers $78,450 $73,470 -$4,980 (-6.3%)
27-1029 Designers, All Other $78,000 $44,870 -$33,130 (-42.5%)
50.0411 Game and Interactive Media Design. (Cert2y+)
A program that focuses on the design, development, and programming of interactive media entertainment, including computer and video games, virtual environments, Internet applications, and other interactive media. Includes instruction in theory of games, turn-based games, real-time games, visual and interactive design, story development, animation, simulation, and programming.

Graduate Career Earnings in Ohio

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Ohio Avg OH vs US
25-1199 Postsecondary Teachers, All Other $94,470 $66,210 -$28,260 (-29.9%)
27-1014 Special Effects Artists and Animators $110,110 $66,790 -$43,320 (-39.3%)
50.0602 Cinematography and Film/Video Production. (Cert2y+)
A program that prepares individuals to communicate dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the making and producing of films and videos. Includes instruction in theory of film, film technology and equipment operation, film production, film directing, film editing, cinematographic art, film audio, techniques for making specific types of films and/or videos, media technologies, computer image making, multi-media production, and the planning and management of film/video operations.

Graduate Career Earnings in Ohio

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Ohio Avg OH vs US
25-1121 Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary $102,240 $120,330 +$18,090 (+17.7%)
27-2012 Producers and Directors $114,280 $63,230 -$51,050 (-44.7%)
27-4031 Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film $79,870 $73,560 -$6,310 (-7.9%)
27-4032 Film and Video Editors $83,530 $49,880 -$33,650 (-40.3%)
50.0605 Photography. (Cert2y+)
A program that focuses on the principles and techniques of communicating information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the creation of images on photographic film, plates, and digital images and that may prepare individuals to be professional photographic artists. Includes instruction in camera and equipment operation and maintenance, film and plate developing, light and composition, films and printing media, color and special effects, photographic art, photographic history, use of computer applications to record or enhance images and applications to the photography of various subjects.

Graduate Career Earnings in Ohio

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Ohio Avg OH vs US
25-1121 Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary $102,240 $120,330 +$18,090 (+17.7%)
27-4021 Photographers $55,650 $35,020 -$20,630 (-37.1%)
50.0702 Fine/Studio Arts, General. (Cert2y+)
A program that prepares individuals to generally function as creative artists in the visual and plastic media. Includes instruction in the traditional fine arts media (drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, CAD/CAM) and/or modern media (ceramics, textiles, intermedia, photography, digital images), theory of art, color theory, composition and perspective, anatomy, the techniques and procedures for maintaining equipment and managing a studio, and art portfolio marketing.

Graduate Career Earnings in Ohio

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Ohio Avg OH vs US
25-1121 Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary $102,240 $120,330 +$18,090 (+17.7%)
27-1013 Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators $76,450 $37,540 -$38,910 (-50.9%)
27-1019 Artists and Related Workers, All Other $79,490 $83,980 +$4,490 (+5.6%)
50.0703 Art History, Criticism and Conservation. (Cert2y+)
A program that focuses on the study of the historical development of art as social and intellectual phenomenon, the analysis of works of art, and art conservation. Includes instruction in the theory of art, art history research methods, connoisseurship, the preservation and conservation of works of art, and the study of specific periods, cultures, styles, and themes.

Graduate Career Earnings in Ohio

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Ohio Avg OH vs US
13-2022 Appraisers of Personal and Business Property N/A N/A N/A
25-1121 Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary $102,240 $120,330 +$18,090 (+17.7%)
25-4011 Archivists $67,620 $58,940 -$8,680 (-12.8%)
25-4012 Curators $70,060 $66,090 -$3,970 (-5.7%)
25-4013 Museum Technicians and Conservators $53,630 $55,990 +$2,360 (+4.4%)
Media Tech (1)
Digital Media Technologies and Broadcasting Systems
10.0304 Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects. (Cert2y+)
A program that prepares individuals to use computer applications and related visual and sound imaging techniques to manipulate images and information originating as film, video, still photographs, digital copy, soundtracks, and physical objects in order to communicate messages simulating real-world content. Includes instruction in specialized camerawork and equipment operation and maintenance, image capture, computer programming, dubbing, CAD applications, and applications to specific commercial, industrial, and entertainment needs.

Graduate Career Earnings in Ohio

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Ohio Avg OH vs US
27-1014 Special Effects Artists and Animators $110,110 $66,790 -$43,320 (-39.3%)
Business (1)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
52.0212 Retail Management. (PostBacCert)
A program that prepares individuals to manage the operations of a wide variety of retail businesses, including department stores; independent and chain stores; fashion, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical establishments; and online retail businesses. Includes instruction in retail management, merchandise management, customer service management, marketing, organizational behavior, accounting, finance, business law, and personnel management.

Graduate Career Earnings in Ohio

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Ohio Avg OH vs US
11-1021 General and Operations Managers $133,120 $95,110 -$38,010 (-28.6%)
11-9179 Personal Service Managers, All Other $70,620 $67,620 -$3,000 (-4.2%)
25-1011 Business Teachers, Postsecondary $113,840 $77,170 -$36,670 (-32.2%)
41-1011 First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers $52,350 $43,020 -$9,330 (-17.8%)

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$57,068
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$57,068
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$39,650
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$39,650
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$11,450 (on) / $18,682 (off)
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$2,200
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$3,768
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$3,768
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$33,625
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$33,625
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

24%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$21,807
Avg. Loan
$9,135
Avg. Federal Loan
$5,267
Additional
Students with Any Grant
220
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
164
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
90
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$18,637
Average amount of institutional grant awarded
Show more financial aid data

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

61%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
73%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$21,400 – $64,027
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$21,400 (25th %) $64,027 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $40,664
Median Salary After 6 Years
$30,590
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$40,664
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
58.8%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
66.9%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$27,000
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 47.4%
Middle 56.0%
High 72.4%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 60.0%
Independent 51.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD)

How much does it cost to attend Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD)?

The annual tuition at Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) is $39,650 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $57,068 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $11,450 (on) / $18,682 (off) and books and supplies $2,200.

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 Columbus College of Art & Design offer?

Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) offers 16 academic programs across 3 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Master's.

Most popular program areas include:

  • Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (12 programs)
  • Digital Media Technologies and Broadcasting Systems (1 programs)
  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (1 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the acceptance rate for Columbus College of Art & Design?

Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) has an 71.7% acceptance rate and a 30.9% yield rate, making it selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 867
  • Students admitted: 622
  • Students enrolled: 192

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 Columbus College of Art & Design?

Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) provides financial aid to 24% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $21,807 and average loans of $9,135.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $5,240
  • State/Local grants: $3,816
  • Institutional grants: $18,637
  • Federal loans: $5,267

The university supports 220 students with grants and 164 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 Columbus College of Art & Design graduates?

Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) graduates earn a median salary of $30,590 after 6 years and $40,664 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $21,400 (25th percentile) to $64,027 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $73,700 (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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