ArtCenter College of Design is a private college in Pasadena, California, U.S. It is a leader of art and design education globally and the first design school to get the United Nations’ Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status. The College has a total of 2,335 students. International students from more than 40 countries are also a part of the college’s student body.
The ArtCenter College of Design is accredited by the “National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)” and by the “WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).” The college offers 11 undergraduate and 7 graduate degree programs in a variety of disciplines related to art and design. Along with highly-ranked programs, the college serves students in the Greater Los Angeles region through its extension programs. ArtCenter ranks #3 in Graphic Design and #15 in Best Fine Arts in the U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools”. Having a freshman retention rate of 81%, ArtCenter College of Design is one of the most popular destinations to study Design in the USA.
ArtCenter College of Design Rankings
- QS World University Rankings by Subject ranks the college 12th in Art and Design with an overall score of 81.4.
- The top rankings of the Art Center College of Design in Niche Best Colleges is as follows:
- ##22 of 405 in Best Colleges for Design in America
- #33 of 734 in Best Colleges for Art in America
- #35 of 258 in Best Colleges for Film and Photography in America
Highlights
| College Type | Private |
| Year of Establishment | 1930 |
| Campus Setting | Suburban |
| Location | Pasadena, California, United States |
| Total Enrollment (Fall) | 2,335 |
| Official Website | https://www.artcenter.edu/ |
| Cost of Attendance (without aids) | 67,450 USD |
| Endowment | 99.9 million USD |
| Acceptance Rate | UG: 59% PG: 41% |
| Percentage of International Students | 40% |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 8:1 |
| English Proficiency Scores | IELTS, TOEFL or PTE |
| Graduate Employment Percentage | 83% (Bachelors) and 63% (Masters) |
ArtCenter College of Design Campus
ArtCenter College of Design has two campuses in Pasadena, the Hillside Campus in the San Rafael Hills, and the South Campus in Downtown Pasadena. A complimentary shuttle service maintained by the college ensures ease of travel between the two campuses for the students.
- The Hillside Campus is located within an area of 165 acres in the San Rafael Hills above Pasadena, whose main building is designed in a modern style and is designated as a local historic monument by the City of Pasadena.
- In the Pasadena campus, students have access to classrooms, individual studios, shared exhibition spaces, and a sculpture yard. It also houses the award-winning supersonic wind tunnel and the HMCT Center for Typography, the Archetype Press and the South Campus Gallery.
- ArtCenter College of Design supports satellite locations for hosting local art exhibitions, panels, and workshops like the ArtCenter DTLA, the Petersen Automotive Museum in Downtown Los Angeles, and the ArtCenter Studio in Berlin.
ArtCenter College of Design Residences
ArtCenter does not currently provide any on-campus housing facilities to its students. However, students are provided with resources and support through The Center for the Student Experience (CSE) for assisting students with their living arrangements throughout Pasadena and Los Angeles.
- Students can apply at Off-Campus Housing Search for information on a variety of living arrangements such as roommate searches, costs of apartments and houses for rent, utilities, amenities, and proprietor contact information for each listing.
- The college also collaborates with Universal Student Housing Services, which has affordable housing options for international students living in the U.S, in the homes of approved local families and individuals.
ArtCenter College of Design Programs
- ArtCenter College of Design offers 11 Undergraduate degrees programs in Advertising, Entertainment Design, Environmental Design, Film, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interaction Design, Photography & Imaging, Product Design, and Transportation Design.
- Graduate degrees are offered through seven programs in Art, Environmental Design, Film, Graphic Design, Transportation Systems & Design, Industrial Design, and Media Design Practices.
- The college offers one Graduate and six Undergraduate minor degree programs in Social Innovation through the Designmatters Program.
ArtCenter College of Design Application Process
The steps to be followed for admission to Art Center College of Design are discussed below:
Application Portal: UG - Online Application; PG - Online Application
Application Fee: 50 USD (U.S. citizens) and 70 USD (non-U.S. citizens)
Application Deadlines: The College follows a rolling admission basis and admits first-come-first-serve basis. The priority deadlines include:
| Session | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall term | February 15 |
| Spring term | October 1 |
| Summer term | January 15 |
| For entertainment design only (Fall) | February 1 |
| For entertainment design only (Spring) | October 1 |
- Student Class Profile –
- Average SAT – 600, Average SAT Math – 652
- Average GPA – 3.39
- Percentage of female students – 56%
- Percentage of international students – 40%
- Acceptance Rate – 59% (undergraduates) and 41% (graduates)
- Retention Rate – 81%, Graduation Rate – 69%
- General Admission Requirements:
- Completed Online Application Form
- Official Academic Transcripts
- English Language Proficiency Test scores
- Passport and Visa to study in the U.S
- Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements:
The minimum scores of some of the English language tests required for admission are presented in the table below,
ArtCenter College of Design Cost of Attendance
The cost of attendance for international students for at ArtCenter College of Design for each semester, which includes tuition & fees, estimates on average amounts for room and board, books and supplies, transportation, loan fees associated with federal loans, and other essential expenses is tabled below:
| Expenses | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | 22,888 USD (per term) | 24,190 USD (per term) |
| Room and Board | 6,765 USD | 6,765 USD |
| Books and Supplies | 2,000 USD | 2,000 USD |
| Transportation | 1,397 USD | 1,397 USD |
| Personal Expenses | 1,849 USD | 1,849 USD |
| Loan Fees | 169 USD | 169 USD |
| Access Fee | 355 USD | 355 USD |
| Total Fees (per semester) | 35,068 USD | 36,370 USD |
ArtCenter College of Design Financial Aid
- ArtCenter College of Design awards $22 million of financial aid in the form of scholarships and awards to more than 60% of the students every year.
- Most of the financial aid resources by ArtCenter College of Design are only for US citizens. Thus, there is a limited number of scholarships available for international students studying in the U.S.
- However, international students can approach other external foundations and corporations for funding. They do not require a FAFSA application to apply for financial aids.
- Some of the External Scholarship Resources for International Students are:
- The American-Scandinavian Foundation
- Asian Cultural Council
- Fastweb Scholarship Search
- The Hellenic Times Scholarship
- Students can contact the Financial Aid Office for any assistance at 626 396-2215 or email to finaid@artcenter.edu.
ArtCenter College of Design Alumni
- With more than 20,000 alumni, ArtCenter College of Design has a very diverse and well-developed alumni network across the world.
- Alumni members are provided with assorted benefits like special campus facilities, career support, workshops, premium offers, and discounts, etc.
- The Alumni Association helps recognize the talent of its wonderful members by presenting them with awards for their achievements and influential services in the community.
- Some of the notable alumni of ArtCenter College of Design are:
- Michael Bay - Film Director & Producer
- Dilip Chhabria - Car Designer & the Founder of DC Design.
- Zack Snyder - Film Director & Producer
- Drew Struzan - Illustrator & Movie Poster Designer
ArtCenter College of Design Placement
- ArtCenter’s Class of 2018 had a job placement rate of 83% and 63% for the Undergraduate and Graduate students respectively.
- ArtCenter Connect, the online career portal, provides students with access to the job board, enabled with job search sites and websites for residencies, professional organizations, and access to GoinGlobal for international job and internship opportunities.
- Alumni and graduates from ArtCenter College of Design draw an average starting salary of 61,100 USD after job placements.
FAQs
Ques. What is the Art Center College of Design known for?
Ans. Art Center College of Design is known as a leader in art and design education.
Ques. What is the acceptance rate of Art Center College of Design?
Ans. The acceptance rate of Art Center College of Design for undergraduates is 59% and for graduates is 41%.
Ques. Does Art Center College of Design require letters of recommendation?
Ans. Some graduate departments require a letter of recommendation for admission.
Ques. Are SAT/ ACT scores required for admission to Art Center College of Design?
Ans. SAT or ACT scores are optional for admission to Art Center College of Design starting from Spring.
Ques. Does the Art Center College of Design have dorms?
Ans. Art Center College of Design currently does not have any dormitories for students.
Ques. What is the total enrollment at Art Center College of Design?
Ans. Art Center College of Design has a total of 2,335 students enrolled.
Ques. What is the application fee of the College?
Ans. The application fee for international students is 70 USD.
Ques. What is the tuition for Arts Center College of Design?
Ans. The tuition for undergraduates attending Arts Center College of Design is 22,888 USD and for graduate students is 24,190 USD.
Ques. What is the graduation rate of Art Center College of Design?
Ans. The overall graduation rate of Art Center College of Design is 69%.
Ques. What is the student retention rate of Art Center College of Design?
Ans. The student retention rate of full-time students at Art Center College of Design is 81%.
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