Overview
Founded in 1930 by Edward A. Adams in Los Angeles, Art Center College of Design has grown into one of the world's most prestigious institutions for art and design education. Originally established in a downtown LA storefront, the school relocated to its iconic Craig Ellwood-designed Hillside Campus in Pasadena in 1976. ArtCenter is particularly celebrated for its transportation design program, which has produced generations of designers working at major automotive companies worldwide, as well as its strengths in industrial design, illustration, and graphic design.
At a Glance
| Type | Private |
| Location | Pasadena, California |
| Founded | 1930 |
| Total students | 1,900 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 9:1 |
| Acceptance rate | 72% |
| Graduation rate | 62% |
| Average starting salary | $58,000 |
Tuition & Costs (estimates)
| In-state tuition | $50,000 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $50,000 |
| Room & board | $16,000 |
| Average financial aid | $18,000 |
| Students receiving aid | 70% |
Admissions
| SAT range | N/A |
| ACT range | N/A |
| Average GPA | 3.30 |
| Regular deadline | Rolling |
Top Programs
- Transportation Design
- Industrial Design
- Illustration
- Graphic Design
- Entertainment Design
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current costs, deadlines, and requirements on the university's official website.