Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks California College of Asu #1410 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $20,845 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 4.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks California College of Asu #454 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting outcomes for students in its visual and performing arts focus. --- California College of Asu's composite ranking balances strong mobility outcomes with its distinctive arts-focused mission. The institution's earnings beyond expectations reflect how its graduates fare relative to peers in creative fields.
Azimuth ranks California College of Asu #1410 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Los Angeles, CA, California College of Asu enrolls roughly 71 undergraduates. The institution enrolls students from a range of backgrounds, with 46.3% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 29.5% identifying as first-generation college students. California College of Asu anchors its mission in visual and performing arts education. The institution's dominant program family — Visual & Performing Arts — shapes both its academic identity and graduate outcomes. Retention stands at 25.0% and the six-year graduation rate is 37.2%, reflecting the institution's ability to support students through completion in a specialized, arts-focused environment. Where California College of Asu performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks California College of Asu #1438 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $20,845 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing California College of Asu in the 4.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's strength in preparing students for careers in creative fields where specialized training and portfolio development translate into measurable financial outcomes. Affordability sits in the 41.4 percentile and access in the 9.0 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions, while mobility outcomes rank in the 69.4 percentile.
Published cost of attendance is $31,890. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $15,386. Azimuth ranks California College of Asu #836 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 41.4 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $47,502. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $38,025, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
California College of the Arts is a strong fit for students pursuing careers in Visual & Performing Arts, which represents 100% of the institution's degree output. The school's Los Angeles location provides access to creative industry networks while maintaining a focused arts curriculum. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $38,025, placing California College of Asu in the 1.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Earn about $20,845 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 4.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The student body includes 46.3% Pell recipients and 29.5% first-generation students, reflecting the institution's commitment to access in creative fields. Median federal debt at graduation is $25,000, with financial aid packages that help bridge the gap for need-eligible students. Fit depends on clear artistic focus - the concentrated program mix in Visual & Performing Arts means students should enter with strong alignment to these disciplines. Those seeking a specialized arts education in CA will find both creative development and career preparation.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the California College Of Asu hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Data not available for this income tier.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Published cost of attendance is $31,890. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $15,386.
Azimuth ranks California College of Asu #836 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 41.4 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $47,502.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $38,025, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Graduates of California College of Asu earn median 4-year earnings of $38,025, placing California College of Asu in the 1.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $20,845 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing California College of Asu in the 4.9 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks California College of Asu #1438 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects California College of Asu's concentration in Visual & Performing Arts.
Film/Video and Photographic Arts is the largest program with 125 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $40,359, which represents 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. Visual and Performing Arts is another significant program within the institution's portfolio.
These outcomes reflect both the specialized nature of the institution's academic focus and the labor-market demand for graduates in creative and performance-oriented fields.
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
125 graduates
California College of Asu anchors its program portfolio in visual and performing arts, a signature that reflects the institution's creative identity in Los Angeles. Film/Video and Photographic Arts is the largest program with 125 graduates annually, followed by Visual and Performing Arts.
Across 0 programs that meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, the institution serves roughly 138 students annually in creative and applied fields. The earnings pattern reflects the specialized nature of arts-focused training.
Film/Video and Photographic Arts leads with median earnings of $40,359 four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Film/Video and Photographic Arts, the institution's largest program, graduates 125 students and delivers median earnings of $40,359.
The earnings range across California College of Asu's portfolio reflects the diversity of creative career pathways—some graduates move directly into freelance or independent work, while others enter salaried positions in media, design, or production roles. Several of California College of Asu's programs represent high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the creative and media labor market directly.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how visual and performing arts fields align with national labor-market trends and emerging opportunities in digital media, entertainment technology, and creative industries. For students prioritizing earnings outcomes within a creative-focused institution, understanding the specific career trajectory of each program—from freelance-dependent pathways to salaried positions—is essential to evaluating long-term financial fit.
