Facts & Figures

Our diverse community intersects art, industry, and important issues to create work that matters. And we’ve got the numbers to prove it.

Rankings

Learn why CCA is one of the world’s best value art colleges

A model walks the catwalk at Fashion Design's Runway event.

CCA’s programs stand out

Art college rankings position California College of the Arts as one of the best art and design schools in California, the United States, and the world. From greatest salary potential to most sustainable to overall best value, our accolades are bolstered by innovative facilities, interdisciplinary programs, and expert faculty that have made CCA a top-tier art college. CCA is ranked #10 in the country for graduate fine arts programs, #4 in graphic design, and #6 in ceramics, according to U.S. News & World Report, and our BFA in Interior Design program is ranked #8 on BestAccreditedColleges.org.

A person stand behind two monitors talking with another person.

Top ranked for return on investment

CCA is focused on keeping tuition low and the returns on your investment high. Our interdisciplinary programs and dedicated faculty have landed us rankings of #1 art school in the nation for return on investment, #3 best undergraduate art school by salary potential, and #7 in best value colleges for art majors by Payscale.

Graduating students pose in their caps and gowns.

We champion a range of perspectives

CCA has been named one of the top 25 most diverse colleges in the U.S. and also has one of the most diverse faculty cohorts of all AICAD schools. With a broad curriculum that emphasizes cultural literacy and challenges students to investigate inequity in all of its forms, we strive to make diversity, inclusion, and belonging integral to your experience at the college.

Facts & Figures

Learn about our community at a glance

Average class size

  • 14 is the average number of undergraduate students per class
  • 9 is the average number of graduate students per class
  • 7:1 student to faculty ratio

Acceptance and retention rates

  • 76% acceptance rate (2022 undergraduates)
  • 78% of first-year students pursuing bachelor's degrees re-enroll for their sophomore year

Graduation rate

  • 72% of first-year students graduate in six years

Student body

  • 1,501: total enrollment
    • 1,145 degree-seeking undergraduates enrolled
    • 356 degree-seeking graduates enrolled
  • 39.7% international students
  • 0.2% American Indian/Alaska Native
  • 13.9% Asian American
  • 3.5% African American
  • 13.3% Latinx/Hispanic
  • 5.3% two or more races
  • 19.4% white
  • 4.6% not reported
  • 42 countries represented among degree-seeking undergraduates and graduates
  • 43 states represented

Faculty

  • 410 total faculty
  • 1% American Indian/Alaska Native
  • 14% Asian American
  • 5% African American
  • 8% Latinx/Hispanic
  • 7% two or more races
  • 57% white
  • 8% not reported

Staff

  • 257 total staff
  • 1% American Indian/Alaska Native
  • 20% Asian American
  • 9% Black or African American
  • 18% Latinx/Hispanic
  • 4% two or more races
  • 44% white
  • 4% not reported

Alumni*

  • 83% of undergraduate alumni obtained work within 12 months of graduating
  • 81% of graduate alumni obtained work within 12 months of graduating
  • 78% of undergraduate alumni reported their CCA education was relevant to their first work experience
  • 85% of graduate alumni reported their CCA education was relevant to their first work experience

Financial information

  • $29,175 is the average amount of combined scholarships and grants per student
  • 83% of undergraduate students receive CCA scholarships
  • 83% of undergraduate students receive financial aid

Updated fall 2022
*CCA Alumni Survey 2019

Discover our range of creative practices

View all programs