Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, California · Private, nonprofit · 2,017 undergraduates
Of 8 programs with reported earnings, 6 leave graduates out-earning a typical California high-school graduate (about $36,976/yr) and 2 fall short. Another 8 programs did not have enough data to judge.
What families actually pay
| Family income | Net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30k | $39,645 |
| $30k to $48k | $42,161 |
| $48k to $75k | $44,738 |
| $75k to $110k | $45,677 |
| $110k and up | $61,144 |
| All families (average) | $48,661 |
Net price is the yearly cost after grants and scholarships, by family income (College Scorecard). Credit: TuitionTracker.
Program earnings vs a high-school graduate
| Program | Credential | Median earnings | vs HS grad | Verdict | Median debt | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts | Bachelor's Degree | $76,093 | +$39,117 | clears the bar | $31,000 | 0.8 yrs |
| Engineering-Related Fields | Bachelor's Degree | $92,293 | +$55,317 | clears the bar | $35,636 | 0.6 yrs |
| Graphic Communications | Bachelor's Degree | $67,010 | +$30,034 | clears the bar | $37,000 | 1.2 yrs |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | Bachelor's Degree | $49,933 | +$12,957 | clears the bar | $28,750 | 2.2 yrs |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | Bachelor's Degree | $90,188 | +$53,212 | clears the bar | $50,250 | 0.9 yrs |
| Fine and Studio Arts | Master's Degree | $30,188 | -$6,788 | falls short | n/a | n/a |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | Bachelor's Degree | $77,401 | +$40,425 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Fine and Studio Arts | Bachelor's Degree | $33,073 | -$3,903 | falls short | n/a | n/a |
Access and outcomes: 22% of students receive Pell grants · 79% complete their program.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10). Earnings are median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing, compared to the state high-school-graduate earnings threshold. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Something look wrong? Report it.