Admissions

Our interdisciplinary community connects creativity to issues and industry. It's why we’re one of the world’s top-ranking art and design colleges.

Admissions at a glance

Applying to art school admissions at CCA is easy. Basic application requirements include the following materials:

CCA does not require SAT or ACT as part of the application review process.

Some applicants will need to submit additional materials with their application, such as language test scores, additional letters of recommendation, or more work samples for their portfolio. See individual requirements by applicant status below. First-year and transfer students can apply to college using the Common Application.

Apply based on your applicant status

Requirements vary based on the type of student you’ll be when you enter CCA. The information you provide helps us get the best picture possible of where you’d fit in, what you’re hoping to do here, and why you’ll thrive in our rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum. Select a link below to learn more.

Applicants have specific dates for admission and financial aid deadlines. If you have questions at any point in the application process, reach out to an Admissions team member for help. You’ll find our contact information and admissions deadlines below.

Deadlines

Submit your application on time to start making art that matters at CCA. Each deadline is determined by applicant status. Here are key due dates for submitting your admissions and scholarship applications. Priority applicants receive additional consideration.

Undergraduates: Fall semester

Sep 01

Undergraduate application available

Apply for admission to CCA.

Nov 15

First-year early action deadline

First-year applicants should submit an application by this deadline to guarantee merit scholarship consideration. Deadline to submit an application for an early response from CCA.

Feb 01

Undergraduate fall priority deadline: First-year scholarships

First-year applicants must submit an application by this deadline to be considered for all undergraduate institutional scholarships, including the Visionary Practice Scholarship, merit, named, and all-college honors.

Mar 01

Transfer fall priority deadline

Transfer applicants should submit an application by this deadline to guarantee merit scholarship consideration.

May 01

Undergraduate deadline to confirm attendance and submit deposit

Admitted undergraduate students should confirm attendance and submit the $300 enrollment deposit for the fall semester by this date.

Undergraduates: Spring semester

Oct 01

Undergraduate spring priority deadline for first-year and transfer students

Deadline for first-year and transfer applicants to submit applications for spring semester to guarantee consideration for institutional scholarships.

Graduate students

Sep 01

Graduate application available

Apply for admission to CCA.

Jan 15

Graduate application priority deadline

Deadline to submit an application for institutional scholarship consideration and admission for the following academic year. Applications received after this date will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

May 01

Graduate deadline to confirm attendance and submit deposit

Admitted graduate students must confirm attendance and submit the $500 enrollment deposit for the fall semester by this date.

Aerial view of CCA campus with the San Francisco skyline in the background

Attend an admissions event

Learn what life is like as a CCA student, attend a virtual or in-person admissions event. We offer faculty-led informational sessions about our programs, as well as workshops that can help you prepare to apply to CCA.

Take a campus tour

Explore where all the making happens. CCA offers weekly in-person tours of our campus in San Francisco, including its state-of-the-art studios and new residence halls, led by student ambassadors. Advance registration is required to participate.

If you are not able to travel to San Francisco, explore our virtual tour as an alternative. You’ll view inside studios and graduate spaces located beyond our San Francisco campus.

More ways to get to know CCA

The value of a CCA education

Our graduates become creative leaders in their fields who make powerful contributions to society. So when they’re students, we offer many financial aid resources, including merit and institutional scholarships, and staff support to help maximize every aid opportunity. View 2024–2025 estimated total cost of attendance.

Net price calculator

The net price calculator estimates what you can expect to pay for college with financial aid. By answering a few simple questions, you can get an estimate based on your eligibility for federal and state grants, as well as institutional merit and need-based aid at CCA. These calculations are based on CCA’s current financial aid offer estimates and the cost of attendance. Select your enrollment status below to get an estimate.

Are you a first year?

Estimate your financial aid options

Are you a transfer student?

Calculate average tuition coverage

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of CCA’s net price calculators, please know the result is an estimate only; it does not represent a final determination or actual offer of financial assistance.

Exterior view of the entrance to Founders Hall on CCA's San Francisco campus.

CCA's new residence hall at 188 Hooper Street, called Founders Hall, opened in fall 2020.

A community of artist-citizens

Our residence halls offer you a chance to live and grow within a community of artist-citizens at the center of the Bay Area’s best art and design neighborhoods. CCA’s Housing, Dining, and Residential Education's new residence halls and dining facility foster student connections through open design and proximity to campus. Our mission is to provide an inclusive, welcoming living environment for all types of students.

Over 78% of students receive support

Every year, CCA awards more than $29 million in college-funded scholarships and over $63 million in combined scholarships, grants, loans, and employment to help you achieve your academic goals. To cover additional expenses, we can also help you find other funding, such as work-study, internships, and other resources.

CCA Career Development

Career services for what’s next

From mock interviews to resume prep to training, our comprehensive career service offerings help create a sustainable career pathway from first year forward.

CCA students and alumni meet and connect

Job and internship board

The CCA Handshake job board aggregates listings from more than 12,000 employers. Students and alumni can use the site to apply for opportunities, RSVP to events, and connect to career-movers and makers.

CCA career events and workshops are designed for success

CCA Career Expo

Career events and workshops

Attend professional meetups, training, and networking opportunities the Career Development office hosts all year long. Students and alumni are always welcome. Register for all programs and events through Handshake.

Schedule an appointment with a counselor

Contact your regional counselor

If your region isn’t listed, please email [email protected] to be connected with your counselor. International students should email [email protected] and transfer students should email [email protected].

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CCA Admissions

+1 415-610-7004 (call, text)

[email protected]
A student looks at a large-scale painting on the floor with Professor Linda Geary.

Transfer Admissions

+1 415-529-4802 (call, text)

[email protected]
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International Admissions

+1 415-551-9200 (call only)

[email protected]
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Graduate Admissions

+1 415-548-2271 (call, text)

[email protected]

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