California College of the Arts
San Francisco, California · Private, nonprofit · 990 undergraduates
Of 7 programs with reported earnings, 6 leave graduates out-earning a typical California high-school graduate (about $36,976/yr) and 1 fall short. Another 14 programs did not have enough data to judge.
What families actually pay
| Family income | Net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30k | $61,407 |
| $30k to $48k | $43,261 |
| $48k to $75k | $45,378 |
| $75k to $110k | $46,060 |
| $110k and up | $56,394 |
| All families (average) | $53,909 |
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 | $59,238 | +$22,262 | clears the bar | $27,000 | 1.2 yrs |
| Fine and Studio Arts | Bachelor's Degree | $44,012 | +$7,036 | clears the bar | $27,000 | 3.8 yrs |
| Graphic Communications | Bachelor's Degree | $31,068 | -$5,908 | falls short | $26,899 | n/a |
| Fine and Studio Arts | Master's Degree | $57,717 | +$20,741 | clears the bar | $51,870 | 2.5 yrs |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Master's Degree | $157,122 | +$120,146 | clears the bar | $81,257 | 0.7 yrs |
| Human Computer Interaction | Bachelor's Degree | $149,149 | +$112,173 | clears the bar | $27,125 | 0.2 yrs |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | Master's Degree | $76,381 | +$39,405 | clears the bar | $67,940 | 1.7 yrs |
Access and outcomes: 25% of students receive Pell grants · 61% 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.