California College of the Arts
California College of the Arts is located in the urban setting of San Francisco. The college focuses on art, design, architecture, and writing, fostering a creative and innovative environment. Distinctive for its hands-on approach, the college emphasizes making as a form of thinking. In 2026, the college announced it would be closing at the end of the 2026-2027 academic year, with Vanderbilt University taking over the campus.
Financial Aid
The sticker price is rarely what families actually pay. California College of the Arts's grant and scholarship aid lowers the net price for most income brackets. 25% of students receive Pell Grants; 46% take federal loans.
Average net price across income brackets is $40,040, roughly 31% lower than the published tuition.
Net Price by Family Income
Academic Year 2025| Income Bracket | Avg Net Price | 4-Year Net Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $30K | $32,800 | $131,200 |
| $30K – $48K | $28,423 | $113,692 |
| $48K – $75K | $42,404 | $169,616 |
| $75K – $110K | $44,139 | $176,556 |
| $110K+ | $52,438 | $209,752 |
| Sticker price (no aid) | $57,946 | $231,784 |
Programs at California College of the Arts
4 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.
| Degree Program | DW Score | 1-yr Earnings | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Computer Interaction Compare across schools → |
58
|
$101,801/yr | High | 3.4x |
|
Design
Design and Applied Arts Compare across schools → |
22
|
$28,673/yr | High | 1.7x |
|
Fine Arts
Fine and Studio Arts Compare across schools → |
16
|
$17,690/yr | Moderate | 0.5x |
| Graphic Communications Compare across schools → |
14
|
$26,481/yr | High | 1.1x |
More Colleges in California
Top-scored 4-year colleges and universities elsewhere in California, ranked by average DegreeOutlook Score across their programs.