California College of the Arts
San Francisco, United States
- Cost of Living$ 27,912
- Tuition Fee From$ 28,380
- Country Rank#939
- Batch Strength1,619
- Global Diversity-
- Gender Ratio-
Overview
About
California College of the Arts is a private art and design college located in San Francisco and Oakland, California. It was founded in 1907 as the School of the California Guild of Arts and Crafts, and it has since evolved into one of the leading art and design institutions in the United States. It has an acceptance rate of 88% and was named one of the 10 most diverse colleges in the U.S.
CCA offers undergraduate and graduate programmes in a variety of disciplines, including architecture, fine arts, design, writing, and more. There are 22 undergraduate and 11 graduate programmes in all. Some of the popular courses chosen by students are Animation, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Illustration, and Industrial and Product Design. The college has a diverse student body of 1,456 undergraduates and 394 graduates, with students from all over the world and a range of backgrounds and perspectives. The faculty consists of accomplished artists, designers, architects, writers, and scholars who bring their expertise and experience to the classroom.
The college is known for its interdisciplinary approach to education, encouraging students to explore and integrate different areas of study in their work. CCA also emphasizes hands-on learning, with many opportunities for students to engage in collaborative projects and real-world experiences.
Ranking
US News and World Report of 2024 ranked the university at #28 in Regional Universities Mid-West. The university was also ranked in Top Performers on Social Mobility list at #70.
It is a highly regarded private arts and design college located in California. According to U.S. News & World Report's 2022, Niche, Payscale, Webometrics and MONEY, the college was given reputable rankings. US News has ranked its courses while the latter ranking leagues have released the college’s position in the country and world. Given below are some of the prominent rankings by the above-mentioned publications:
- #30 - Most Diverse Colleges in America - Niche 2024
- #133 - Best College Locations in America - Niche 2024
- #3610 - In the World - EduRank 2024
- #938 - In the United States - EduRank 2024
Course-wise Rankings given by Niche 2024
Course-wise rankings are given as per the quality and popularity of the courses offered at the university. Given below students can find the highly ranked ones across the country:
- #57 - Best Colleges for Design in America
- #67 - Best Colleges for Film and Photography in America
- #97 - Best Colleges for Art in America
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2023
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Facilities
The university has two campuses, one in San Francisco and one in Oakland, both of which are located in vibrant and culturally rich neighbourhoods. The San Francisco campus is located in the city's Potrero Hill neighbourhood, while the Oakland campus is located in the Rockridge neighbourhood. Both campuses offer state-of-the-art facilities, including studios, workshops, galleries, and exhibition spaces.
On-campus residence - When it comes to on-campus residence facilities in San Francisco and Oakland, there are 3 resident halls at the San Francisco campus which are Founder’s Hall, Blattner Hall, Panoramic Residence and Oakland which is Irwin Hall. All students are required to reside in these dormitories for the first two years of their degree. The halls comprise basic amenities such as storage, beds, desks, shower stalls etc.
Libraries - California College of the Arts has two libraries, one at its San Francisco campus and one at its Oakland campus. Both libraries offer resources and services to support the academic and creative endeavours of students, faculty, and staff. The libraries provide access to a wide range of print and electronic resources, including books, journals, databases, and multimedia materials. They also offer research assistance, instruction on using library resources, and interlibrary loan services.
Galleries - The galleries of the institution host a diverse range of activities and exhibitions that feature the work of students, teachers, staff, and visiting artists. They function as a live laboratory for students to practice and experiment with new concepts. They organise openings for exhibitions, book signings, town hall-style discussions, lectures, and other events. Students can participate in contemporary art conversations and see the dynamic work of influential visiting artists while experiencing art, design, architecture, and literature happening on campus.
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
Acceptance Rate
California College of the Arts acceptance rate is 76%. This means that the university falls in the middle range of admission selectivity among universities in the United States. The college maintains relatively accessible standards without being considered a highly open admissions institution. While not overly competitive, the admissions process still proves selective, admitting just over three-quarters of applicants. Students should strive to present a solid application to secure entry into this mid-tier art and design college.
Entry Requirements
Students applying here have to make sure that the admission procedure remains the same for all students at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. The university has a mandatory application fee payment of USD 70. International students need to have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.2 on a minimum average scale of 4.0. Each applicant must provide the following:
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
Students applying for undergraduate programmes here have to make sure that they have all the necessary prerequisites with them such as the ones mentioned below:
- Official Academic Transcripts of High School
- Letter (s) of recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Proof of financial support
- Passport
- Two passport-sized photographs
- Minimum English Test Scores - TOEFL (80) or IELTS (6.5)
Graduate Admission Requirements
Graduate studies are for having advanced growth in a particular field of study. Postgraduate courses here offer just what all students need. So to complete their application for any graduate degree programme, students must present these:
- Official Academic Transcripts of College
- Letter (s) of recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Proof of financial support
- Passport
- Two passport-sized photographs
- CAS statement
- Minimum English Test Scores - TOEFL (80) or IELTS (6.5)
- Test scores or GRE/ GMAT if asked by the university
- Resume or CV showing work experience
Fees
The fees for several of its master’s courses are given below:
- Master of Fine Arts [M.F.A] Design - Industrial Design Track - $51,210 /Yr
- Master of Design [M.Des] Interaction Design - $72,216 /Yr
- M.B.A Design Strategy - $60,180 /Yr
- M.F.A - $60,180 /Yr
- B.F.A Animation - $57,096 /Yr
- B.Arch - $57,096 /Yr
- B.F.A Fashion Design - $57,096 /Yr
Placements
The Career Development team here assists students in developing the skills required for an internship. They assist them in gaining knowledge about a wide range of internships and career opportunities by browsing Handshake, alumni, and CCA's student and employer job boards. Hirsch Bedner, Facebook Inc, Perkins and Will, Adobe Systems Incorporated, and Capital One Financial Corp. are some of the well-known organisations that hire from this college. Companies that hire graduates include Pixar/Disney, Apple, Intel, Facebook, Gensler, Google, IDEO, Autodesk, Mattel, and Nike, and their average income is $74,073.
Scholarship
UniScholars is dedicated to supporting students in achieving their academic aspirations affordably. They offer a variety of scholarships tailored to different fields and backgrounds, aiming to make higher education accessible to all. With UniScholars, aspiring scholars can find the financial support they need to pursue their dreams without undue burden.
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the California College of the Arts. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Accommodation
There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend the California College of the Arts. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, en-suites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.
Cost of Living
San Francisco is a city made for artists. With a unique blend of not only education and culture, this city has also been bred by worldwide artists who come here to study and end up residing here forever. The Rena Bransten Gallery is the oldest here and represents local artists like Lava Thomas, Lewis Watts, and Sydney Cain. The Bay area has other rich art institutions like SOMArts Cultural Center and Museum of the African Diaspora to Southern Exposure and Root Division. Apart from this, at the core of it all is their lively nightlife scene with many bars, clubs, and music venues. The city is also known for its diverse food with many restaurants offering cuisines from around the world. When it comes to residing here, especially for students, it is important to remember the following factors:
|
Particulars |
Cost (Monthly) |
|
Off-Campus Accommodation |
$ 1,542 |
|
On-Campus Accommodation |
$ 1,558 |
|
Transportation |
$ 158 |
|
Food Cost |
$ 371 |
|
Utility Cost |
$ 221 |
|
Entertainment |
$ 64 |
|
Groceries |
$ 60 |
|
Clothes |
$ 131 |
|
Health Insurance |
$80 |
|
Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation |
$ 2,627 |
|
Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation |
$ 2,643 |
|
Annual Cost of Living |
$ 31,524 |