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Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About Laguna College of Art and Design

Set between canyon and coast, Laguna College of Art and Design is known for a studio-first education that blends strong foundations with contemporary practice. Students dig into drawing, painting, animation, illustration, and design with a steady rhythm of critiques. Light-filled studios, digital labs, galleries, a focused library, and a learning center support the work, while advising, tutoring, and wellness services keep folks steady when projects stack up.

Campus life leans creative and close-knit. You'll find clubs, visiting-artist talks, pop-up shows, and plenty of outdoor sketching when the light turns perfect. The culture prizes craft, thoughtful feedback, and professional habits. Career prep shows up in portfolio development, industry visits, and internships tied to the Southern California creative scene. Laguna Beach adds daily inspiration with galleries, festivals, and oceanfront trails. And the year-end exhibitions and plein-air traditions feel like this place in a nutshell.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
2222 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, California, 92651, USA
Website
lcad.edu
Unit ID
117168

Academic & Institutional

Control
Private non-profit institution (tuition + donations)
Accreditation
WSCUC
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
Semester system (two main terms per year)
Award Levels
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Campus Setting
Located in a fringe rural area (within 5 miles of urban area)
Carnegie Classification
4-Year Focus - Law
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$35,650
Out-of-State
$35,650
Student Profile
Total Students 807
Undergraduate 776
Graduate/Other 31
Male: 211 Female: 596
Applications
Total Applicants 268
Admitted 208
Enrolled 135
Acceptance: 77.6% Yield: 64.9%
Staff
Total Staff 303
Full-time 68
Part-time 235
Full-time: 22.4% Part-time: 77.6%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) offers 5 degree programs across 2 major academic fields, graduating approximately 171 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Arts (4 programs, 125 graduates) and Media Tech (1 programs, 46 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Arts (4 programs, 125 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Illustration 44
Bachelor's
50.0410
Game and Interactive Media Design 40
Bachelor's
Master's
50.0411
Studio Arts, General 28
Bachelor's
Master's
50.0702
Graphic Design 13
Bachelor's
50.0409
Media Tech (1 programs, 46 graduates)
Digital Media Technologies and Broadcasting Systems
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Animation and Interactive Technology 46
Bachelor's
10.0304

Admission Requirements & Test Scores

Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD).

Application Requirements

Secondary School GPA
Required
Secondary School Rank
Neither required nor recommended
Secondary School Record
Required
College Preparatory Program
Neither required nor recommended
Formal Demonstration of Competencies
Required
Admission Test Scores (SAT/ACT)
Neither required nor recommended
English Proficiency Test (TOEFL)
Required
Personal Statement or Essay
Required

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

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$59,573
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$59,573
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$35,650
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$35,650
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$18,071 (on) / $20,232 (off)
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$2,324
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$3,528 (on) / $5,391 (off)
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$4,635
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$41,220
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$41,220
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

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

16%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$11,863
Avg. Loan
$8,521
Avg. Federal Loan
$5,416
Additional
Students with Any Grant
115
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
55
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
25
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$9,696
Average amount of institutional grant awarded

Student Success Metrics

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

63%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
83%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$23,848 – $75,920
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$23,848 (25th %) $75,920 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $47,867
Median Salary After 6 Years
$31,987
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$47,867
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
61.3%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
68.0%
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 38.2%
Middle 71.1%
High 76.7%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 66.4%
Independent 44.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD)

How much does it cost to attend Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD)?

The annual tuition at Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) is $35,650 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $59,573 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $18,071 (on) / $20,232 (off) and books and supplies $2,324.

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 Laguna College of Art and Design offer?

Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) offers 5 academic programs across 2 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (≥2 yrs), Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's.

Most popular program areas include:

  • Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (4 programs)
  • Digital Media Technologies and Broadcasting Systems (1 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 Laguna College of Art and Design?

Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) has an 77.6% acceptance rate and a 64.9% yield rate, making it selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 268
  • Students admitted: 208
  • Students enrolled: 135

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 Laguna College of Art and Design?

Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) provides financial aid to 16% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $11,863 and average loans of $8,521.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $5,143
  • State/Local grants: $8,716
  • Institutional grants: $9,696
  • Federal loans: $5,416

The university supports 115 students with grants and 55 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 Laguna College of Art and Design graduates?

Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) graduates earn a median salary of $31,987 after 6 years and $47,867 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $23,848 (25th percentile) to $75,920 (75th 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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