California College of the Arts

San Francisco, California · Private, nonprofit

Of 7 assessed programs, 6 leave graduates out-earning a typical California high-school graduate (about $36,976/yr) and 1 fall short. Another 14 could not be assessed.

What would this cost you?

Family incomeNet 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). It reflects students who received federal aid.

Program earnings vs a high-school graduate

Earnings are measured four years after completion when available. Where four-year earnings are suppressed, one-year earnings are shown and marked 1-year earnings. One-year and four-year figures reflect different career stages and should not be compared as if measured at the same time.

7 of 21 programs could be assessed 33% have an earnings verdict

Programs by earnings versus a typical California high-school graduate.
ProgramDegreeMedian earningsvs a high-school gradVerdictMedian debtYears to repayRecent completers
DesignBachelor's Degree$59,238+$22,262clears the bar$27,0001.2 yrs99
Fine ArtsBachelor's Degree$44,012+$7,036clears the bar$27,0003.8 yrs61
Graphic CommunicationsBachelor's Degree$31,068-$5,908falls short$26,899insufficient data60
Fine ArtsMaster's Degree$57,717+$20,741clears the bar$51,8702.5 yrs29
Business AdministrationMaster's Degree$157,122+$120,146clears the bar$81,2570.7 yrs23
Human Computer InteractionBachelor's Degree$149,149+$112,173clears the bar$27,1250.2 yrs22
Architectural Sciences and TechnologyMaster's Degree$76,381 1-year earnings+$39,405clears the bar$67,9401.7 yrs15
Film and PhotographyBachelor's Degreeinsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient data41
Computer Software and Media ApplicationsBachelor's Degreeinsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient data38
DesignMaster's Degreeinsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient data26
Human Computer InteractionMaster's Degreeinsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient data19
Architectural Sciences and TechnologyBachelor's Degreeinsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient data17
Graphic CommunicationsMaster's Degreeinsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient data9
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesMaster's Degreeinsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient data8
Film and PhotographyMaster's Degreeinsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient data8
Museology/Museum StudiesMaster's Degreeinsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient data4
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesBachelor's Degreeinsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient data0
WoodworkingBachelor's Degreeinsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient data0
ArchitectureBachelor's Degreeinsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient data
ArchitectureMaster's Degreeinsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient data
Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and ArtisanryBachelor's Degreeinsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient datainsufficient data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release 2026-06-10. Earnings are medians measured four years after completion where available (programs shown with a 1-year figure are marked), compared with the state high-school-graduate benchmark ($36,976/yr). Debt is federal loans only. Suppressed values are shown as insufficient data, never imputed. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise.