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Private nonprofit · San Francisco, California

California College of the Arts

Urban campus · 990 undergraduates · 8 students per faculty member · Official website

Acceptance rate
91%
Test scores
Test-optional
Average net price
$53,909
per year, after grants
6-year graduation
61%
Treadwell Mansion (Oakland, CA)
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Is California College of the Arts a reach, a target or a likely for your student?

Add a GPA and test scores and U Shortlist shows admission odds, the net price at your income, and how California College of the Arts fits against what your family said matters, on a map of 1,546 colleges.

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What California College of the Arts costs

Net price is what a first-year student pays for a year after grants and scholarships, by family income. It is usually far below the sticker price.

Net price by family income

Under $30,000
$61,407
$30,001 – $48,000
$43,261
$48,001 – $75,000
$45,378
$75,001 – $110,000
$46,060
Over $110,000
$56,394

For students receiving federal aid.

These are averages for each income band. Your family's price at your income, next to every other school on your list, is in your account.See your family's price →

Price and aid

Full cost of attendance (sticker)
$79,776
Tuition and fees
$60,226
First-years given a grant by the school
96%
Average grant from the school
$30,192
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
The school's own net price calculator
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Admissions

Acceptance rate
91%
SAT middle 50%
–
ACT middle 50%
–
Test scores
Test-optional
First-year retention
90%

Is this a reach, a target or a likely?

Below, inside or above the range, with the acceptance rate, decides reach, target or likely. U Shortlist works it out from your student’s own scores and keeps it separate from fit.

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California College of the Arts athletics

No varsity teams

Participants reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A dash means no team for that side.

Academics and outcomes

Most popular fields

Visual & performing arts
47%
Communications technology
23%
Architecture
11%
Multi/interdisciplinary studies
10%
Computer & information sciences
7%
Precision production
1%

Share of bachelor’s degrees awarded.

6-year graduation rate
61%
First-year retention
90%
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$49,414
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
Students with a Pell grant
25%

Similar colleges nearby

Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (admissions, prices, outcomes), IPEDS Student Financial Aid 2023–24 (school grants) and Equity in Athletics 2024–25 (teams). No college paid to appear here or can pay to be ranked.

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Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS and Equity in Athletics. Photos: Wikimedia Commons. © 2026 U Shortlist.