Art Center College of Design's published cost of attendance is $75,649. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $39,645, middle-income families pay around $44,738, and higher-income families pay approximately $61,144.
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $75,649 |
| Tuition and Fees | $54,170 |
| Books and Supplies | $4,000 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$26,988 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $48,661 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $39,645 |
| $30–48k | $42,161 |
| $48–75k | $44,738 |
| $75–110k | $45,677 |
| $110k+ | $61,144 |
Art Center College of Design's published cost of attendance is $75,649. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $39,645, middle-income families pay around $44,738, and higher-income families pay approximately $61,144. Azimuth ranks Art Center College of Design #1424 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability rank reflects both the headline sticker price and the debt load graduates carry; net price and sticker price can differ substantially, and understanding that gap matters when comparing institutions. Art Center's financial aid structure combines need-based aid, merit scholarships, and federal loan programs. Most students receive some combination of institutional grants and federal aid; the specific aid package depends on demonstrated financial need and merit factors. For families evaluating affordability, the net price figures above represent median costs within each income band—individual packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $31,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $66,614; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures—see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $74,009, median federal debt of $31,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $350 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios—including Parent PLUS planning—use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Art Center College of Design earn median 4-year earnings of $74,009, placing Art Center College of Design in the 74.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Art Center College of Design sits in the 87.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Art Center College of Design #175 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings trajectory reflects the institution's specialized focus: graduates move into creative and design-intensive fields where early-career pay builds steadily through portfolio development and industry reputation. The program portfolio centers on visual and performing arts disciplines. Design and Applied Arts is the largest program with 228 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $76,093, and Azimuth ranks the program 1.5× the national CIP-4 benchmark for the field per the program-ranking methodology. The Engineering-Related Fields program graduates 70 students with median 4-year earnings of $92,293. Graphic Communications and Film/Video and Photographic Arts round out the top cohorts, with Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $49,933. These programs reflect Art Center's distinctive mission: training students for careers where creative skill, design thinking, and industry networks drive long-term financial outcomes in entertainment, product design, advertising, and fine arts sectors.
