Pasadena, CA · Private Nonprofit

Art Center College of Design Cost, Tuition and Student Budget 2026

Art Center College of Design cost profile summarizes tuition, total annual cost, average net price, student debt, median earnings, graduation outcomes, and value signals for 2026 budget-focused university comparison.

Budget Snapshot Moderate value signal Value Score:
Total Cost$75,649
Net Price$48,661
Median Earnings$71,958
Graduation Rate79.2%
Median Debt$26,000
Admission Rate74.5%
Student Count2,017
SAT AverageN/A

Art Center College of Design Student Budget Calculator 2026

Estimate how much money you may still need per year using this university's reported cost data plus your grants, family support, savings, work income, and student loans.

Estimated annual cost $48,661
Money available $0
Still needed per year $48,661
Monthly gap $4,055

Four-year projection: about $194,644 still needed over four years if the same gap repeats.

Loan projection: borrowing $0 per year equals about $0 over four years, compared with reported median debt of $26,000.

This calculator is an estimate. Actual aid, housing, residency status, program fees, family income, and borrowing limits can change the final budget.

University Cost and Earnings View

Money Profile

Median earnings$71,958Total cost$75,649Net price$48,661Median debt$26,000

Value Score Comparison

Art Center College of D...51.7Dataset avg54.3CA avg58.7
Median earnings29% better than dataset average
$71,958
Total annual cost75% weaker than dataset average
$75,649
Average net price127% weaker than dataset average
$48,661
Graduation rate22.4 percentage points better than dataset average
79.2%
Median debt60% weaker than dataset average
$26,000

How This University Cost Compares

Dataset Average

Value Score: 54.3

Net Price: $21,437

Earnings: $55,928

CA Average

Value Score: 58.7

Net Price: $25,380

Earnings: $67,612

Best Use of This Page

Compare this university against schools with similar location, type, net price, total cost, debt, and earnings. A high value score is useful, but graduation rate and debt should be read together with it.

Student Fit Signals

  • Affordability: Net price is $48,661, compared with reported total cost of $75,649.
  • Outcomes: Median earnings are $71,958 and the graduation rate is 79.2%.
  • Debt pressure: Median debt is $26,000, while the loan share is 33%.
  • Access profile: Admission rate is 74.5% and Pell Grant share is 21.6%.
Full University Cost Data Snapshot
School TypePrivate Nonprofit
LocationPasadena, CA
Admission Rate74.5%
In-State Tuition$54,170
Out-of-State Tuition$54,170
Total Cost$75,649
Net Price$48,661
Median Earnings$71,958
Graduation Rate79.2%
Median Debt$26,000
Pell Grant Share21.6%
Loan Share33%
Average Faculty Salary$9,383
Official WebsiteVisit website

Value Score Methodology

Value Score = earnings 28.8 + graduation 19.8 + net price 0.0 + total cost 0.5 + debt 2.6 = 51.7/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt.

Earnings28.8$71,958 · max 40 pts
Graduation19.879.2% · max 25 pts
Net Price0.0$48,661 · max 15 pts
Total Cost0.5$75,649 · max 10 pts
Debt2.6$26,000 · max 10 pts

The score is a comparison signal on a 0-100 scale. It is not a guarantee of future salary, admission outcome, financial aid, or final student cost.