California College of the Arts

What Is It Known For?

Frederick Meyer founded California College of the Arts in 1907 with a vision for interdisciplinary creative education. This private nonprofit college has grown into an institution that shapes culture and society through art, architecture, design, and writing. You’ll find 17 undergraduate and 10 graduate programs at CCA that blend different creative fields together.

The college maintains an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio across its approximately 1,295 enrolled students each academic year. Faculty members bring professional experience alongside their teaching expertise. The curriculum emphasizes social responsibility while helping you develop your creative abilities through modern facilities and hands-on learning.

Degrees & Certifications

CCA organizes programs around four core areas, including Architecture, Design, Fine Arts, and Humanities & Sciences. You can pursue options like:

  • BFA Animation
  • BFA Game Arts & Design
  • BFA Interdisciplinary Ceramics
  • Computational Practices
  • Furniture
  • MFA Film
  • And Much More!

The college awards bachelor’s and master’s degrees rather than certificates or diplomas. Program duration follows traditional academic timelines, with bachelor’s programs taking four years and master’s programs varying from one to three years.

Class Schedules

At CCA, you have multiple scheduling options to fit your lifestyle. Evening and weekend classes serve working adults through multi-week learning experiences. In-person classes meet in San Francisco, while online courses connect live through Zoom platforms.

The CCA CONNECTS program pairs students with externship opportunities throughout the Bay Area arts community. These placements give you real-world experience in galleries, design studios, and cultural organizations while you complete your studies.

Is It a Good School?

Yes. California College of the Arts holds accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC/WASC). The college also maintains specialized accreditations through:

Acceptance Rate

CCA accepts approximately 91% of applicants, making admission moderately selective while remaining accessible to qualified creative students.

How Much Does Tuition Cost?

Tuition at California College of the Arts varies by program level:

  • Undergraduate tuition: $60,864 for 2025-2026
  • Graduate tuition: $44,346 to $76,968, depending on your program
  • Undergraduate fees: $900 annually
  • Graduate fees: $900 to $950 based on your course of study

Use their net price calculator to estimate your actual costs after financial aid and other factors.

Programs & Courses

Professional Services

  • Film
  • Graphic Design
  • Interior Design
  • Fine Arts

Campus Locations

San Francisco 145 Hooper Street San Francisco, CA 94107

Reviews

Based on local Google reviews, California College of the Arts (CCA) has a sharply mixed reputation. The feedback strongly praises the faculty and facilities but criticizes the administration, exorbitant cost, and debt burden, a problem confirmed by the university’s financial statistics.

Overall Score: 4.2/5 Stars

Common Praises

Quality of Faculty and Resources: Reviewers consistently praise the “knockout faculty” and “working professionals” who provide personalized attention (average undergraduate class size is 13). Students also highly value the “cutting-edge equipment” and well-equipped studios.

Artistic Community and Alumni Network: Students appreciate the diverse and creative community, which fosters a sense of camaraderie. The alumni network is frequently cited as a valuable resource for securing internships and job opportunities.

Strong Post-Graduation Success: CCA reports strong outcomes, with 73% of undergraduate alumni obtaining a job within a year or more of graduating. PayScale lists CCA as a top art school for return on investment and alumni salary.

Common Criticisms

Exorbitant Cost and Student Debt Burden: This is the most significant and recurring complaint. Students feel the degree’s value does not justify the cost (Annual tuition is approximately $57,096). The average monthly loan payment for graduates is reported to be $351.

Administrative and Financial Aid Issues: Many reviewers express frustration with the administration, calling it “disorganized” and “soulless,” with specific complaints about issues like mid-semester scholarship revocations and a perception that profit is prioritized over student well-being.

Perceived Lack of Technical Education: Some reviews suggest a curriculum that is too conceptual, with claims that students must learn technical skills on their own, suggesting a mismatch for those seeking more hands-on, career-focused instruction.

Diversity and Inclusivity Concerns: Reviews mention a lack of racial and financial diversity, corresponding with the school’s demographic composition where students identifying as White, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian each make up roughly 14-19% of the student body, and a large portion (37%) are international students.

High Cost of Dorms and Housing: The cost of on-campus housing is seen as excessive relative to the quality provided.

Momentum

The momentum for CCA is mixed but with recent negative sentiment increasing, largely focused on financial strain. While the university can point to high retention rates and strong career placement, the recent, highly detailed and passionate criticisms of the exorbitant cost and administrative issues are a persistent and growing problem that is likely to impact future enrollment despite the excellent reputation of its core faculty.