Private not-for-profit

Medium

Art Center College of Design SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements

SAT RangeN/A

ACT RangeN/A

Average GPA3.84

Acceptance Rate76.2%

ArtCenter’s 76% acceptance rate makes admission feel within reach, but the 3.84 average GPA shows successful applicants usually bring strong academic consistency. Since it is test-optional, submit scores only if they strengthen your record, and focus your strategy on grades and creative work that clearly show your fit.

Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.

Art Center College of Design facts and stats

Quick Facts

Art Center College of Design enrolls about 2,040 undergraduates in a suburban campus setting. ArtCenter’s freshman retention rate is 86%, above the national average of roughly 70%. Its 6-year graduation rate is 79%, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1.

Location

Pasadena, CA

Undergrad Enrollment2,040

Freshman Retention86%

SettingSuburban

Student to Faculty Ratio9:1

Graduation Rate79%

Test PolicyTest-optional

How does your GPA compare at ArtCenter?

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Key Art Center College of Design application dates

Key dates

Application deadlines

Regular Decision

September 14

Early Action

October 15

Early Decision

Not offered

Priority Deadline

February 1

Financial aid deadlines

Financial Aid Priority

March 1

Test dates

SAT test dates

August 22, 2026

Registration deadline: August 7, 2026

September 12, 2026

Registration deadline: August 28, 2026

October 3, 2026

Registration deadline: September 18, 2026

ACT test dates

September 19, 2026

Registration deadline: August 14, 2026

October 17, 2026

Registration deadline: September 11, 2026

December 12, 2026

Registration deadline: November 6, 2026

Take tests early for the best outcomes

If you choose to submit scores to test-optional ArtCenter, take your first SAT or ACT by the spring of junior year and use the summer before senior year for retakes. Normally, fall senior year can also be a retake window, but ArtCenter’s September 14 Regular Decision deadline means August is the last practical retake whose scores are likely to arrive in time.

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What you'll actually pay

ArtCenter is a private not-for-profit, so the same tuition and fees rate applies to all students. Tuition and fees are $54,170. Submit the FAFSA by the March 1 priority deadline to be considered for financial aid.

Tuition and Fees$54,170

Room and Board$19,632

Average Merit AwardN/A

Application Fee$50

Students on AidN/A

Average Aid PackageN/A

Average Debt at GradN/A

At ArtCenter, tuition and fees plus room and board total about $73,802 per year before books, supplies, personal expenses, and any financial aid. Because it is a private not-for-profit college, the final price depends heavily on each student’s financial aid offer and housing choices. Students should compare billed costs with any grants, scholarships, and loans to estimate what they will actually pay.