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California College of the Arts

California College of the Arts is a private nonprofit college in a large city in the San Francisco, CA metro with 1,012 students and a 91% acceptance rate.

San Francisco, California · Private nonprofit · City, large · 1,012 students

Admission rate

91%

of applicants admitted

Average net price

$53,909

per year, after grants

Graduation rate

61%

within 6 years

Freshman retention

57%

return for sophomore year

Median earnings

$49,414

10 years after entry

Students

1,012

total enrollment

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS) · data snapshot October 2, 2026 · Updated October 2, 2026

What families actually pay

Average yearly net price after grants, all students, by family income

$0–30,000$61,407
$30,001–48,000$43,261
$48,001–75,000$45,378
$75,001–110,000$46,060
Over $110,000$56,394

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard · data snapshot October 2, 2026

AP credit

Most-taken exams, lowest score that earns credit
ExamMin scoreCalifornia College of the Arts courseCredits
Calculus AB3Mathematics (SCIMA 2000)
Calculus BC3Mathematics (SCIMA 2000)
Biology3Science (SCIMA 2000)
Chemistry3Science (SCIMA 2000)
English Language and Composition3Writing 1 (WRLIT 1030 / WRLIT 1010)
United States History3Social Science/History (SSHIS 2000)
Psychology3Social Science/History (SSHIS 2000)
Statistics3Mathematics (SCIMA 2000)
Show all 41 exams and every score level
ExamMin scoreCourseCredits
Calculus AB3Mathematics (SCIMA 2000)
Calculus BC3Mathematics (SCIMA 2000)
Biology3Science (SCIMA 2000)
Chemistry3Science (SCIMA 2000)
English Language and Composition3Writing 1 (WRLIT 1030 / WRLIT 1010)
United States History3Social Science/History (SSHIS 2000)
Psychology3Social Science/History (SSHIS 2000)
Statistics3Mathematics (SCIMA 2000)
Computer Science A3Science (SCIMA 2000)
Macroeconomics3Social Science/History (SSHIS 2000)
Microeconomics3Social Science/History (SSHIS 2000)
World History: Modern3Social Science/History (SSHIS 2000)
Environmental Science3Science (SCIMA 2000)
European History3Social Science/History (SSHIS 2000)
Human Geography3Social Science/History (SSHIS 2000)
Spanish Language and Culture3Humanities & Sciences Elective (GENED 795)
Art History3Introduction to the Arts (HAAVC 1040)
Music Theory3Humanities & Sciences Elective (GENED 795)
2D32D Studio (FYCST 1040), or Studio Elective
3D33D Studio (FYCST 1080), or Studio Elective
African American Studies3Critical Ethnic Studies Seminar (ETHSM 2000)
Chinese Language and Culture3Humanities & Sciences Elective (GENED 795)
Comparative Government and Politics3Social Science/History (SSHIS 2000)
Computer Science AB3Science (SCIMA 2000)
Drawing3Drawing Studio (FYCST 1000), or Studio Elective
English Literature (students still must take Writing 1 and Writing 2)3Literature and Performing Arts Studies (LITPA 2000)
French Language and Culture3Humanities & Sciences Elective (GENED 795)
French Literature3Humanities & Sciences Elective (GENED 795)
German Language and Culture3Humanities & Sciences Elective (GENED 795)
Government and Politics: United States3Social Science/History (SSHIS 2000)
Italian Language and Culture3Humanities & Sciences Elective (GENED 795)
Japanese Language and Culture3Humanities & Sciences Elective (GENED 795)
Latin3Humanities & Sciences Elective (GENED 795)
Latin3Humanities & Sciences Elective (GENED 795)
No Exam Equivalent3Advanced Geometry (SCIMA 3080)
Physics 1 and Physics 23Science (SCIMA 2000)
Physics 1 and Physics 23Science: Concepts of Physics (SCIMA 2040)
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism3Science (SCIMA 2000)
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism3Science: Concepts of Physics (SCIMA 2040)
Physics C: Mechanics3Science (SCIMA 2000)
Physics C: Mechanics3Science: Concepts of Physics (SCIMA 2040)
Precalculus3Mathematics (SCIMA 3000)
Research3Humanities & Sciences Elective (GENED 795)
Seminar3Foundations in Critical Studies (CRTSD 1500)
Spanish Literature and Culture3Humanities & Sciences Elective (GENED 795)

Source: portal.cca.edu · checked September 20, 2026

Biggest majors

MajorGraduates
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects51
Computer Graphics38
Illustration36
Industrial and Product Design27
Human Computer Interaction20
Fashion/Apparel Design19
Painting15
Interior Architecture11
Show the other 12 majors
Intermedia/Multimedia10
Cinematography and Film/Video Production10
Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology10
Jewelry Arts6
Photography5
Sculpture4
Printmaking3
Fiber, Textile and Weaving Arts2
Ceramic Arts and Ceramics2
Game and Interactive Media Design2
Furniture Design and Manufacturing2
Creative Writing2

Bachelor’s graduates, first major, most recent year · Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Scholarships

Amounts and eligibility change; check the college’s page for current details.

Sports and campus life

Faith groups

Hillel, Newman Connection

Also

Study abroad

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education athletics data (EADA), hillel.org · checked September 4, 2026 · data snapshot October 2, 2026

The place

Setting

City, large

Federal locale classification

Metro area

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

4,648,486 people

Big-city metro (1 million+)

Yes

More about the place

Nearest airport

Oakland San Francisco Bay (OAK)

Nearest hub airport

Oakland San Francisco Bay (OAK)

Walkability

EPA walkability index 19.5 of 20

Elevation

14 ft

Time zone

Pacific

January low

47°F

July high

66°F

Annual snowfall

0.0 in

Days at 90°F or higher

3 per year

One-bedroom fair market rent

$4,010 per month

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS locale), U.S. Census metro estimates, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, EPA walkability · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Colleges nearby

Straight-line distance between campuses

Similar colleges

Private nonprofit, city campus, similar size