Private not-for-profit

Small

California College of the Arts SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements

SAT RangeN/A

ACT RangeN/A

Average GPAN/A

Acceptance Rate91.1%

CCA’s 91% acceptance rate means you can focus beyond admission: portfolio fit, program goals, and net cost. The average merit award is about $16,800, so compare your likely aid package carefully. Since CCA is test-optional, submit SAT or ACT scores only if they clearly strengthen your academic profile.

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

California College of the Arts facts and stats

Quick Facts

California College of the Arts is an urban institution with an undergraduate enrollment of 1,004 students. CCA has an 87% freshman retention rate, which is above the national average of roughly 70%. Its 6-year graduation rate is 61%, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1.

Location

San Francisco, CA

Undergrad Enrollment1,004

Freshman Retention87%

SettingUrban

Student to Faculty Ratio9:1

Graduation Rate61%

Test PolicyTest-optional

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Key California College of the Arts application dates

Key dates

Application deadlines

Regular Decision

Offered

Early Action

November 15

Early Decision

—

Priority Deadline

—

Financial aid deadlines

Financial Aid Priority

February 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

Because CCA is test-optional, follow this timeline only if you plan to submit SAT or ACT scores. Take your first test by the spring of junior year, then use the summer before senior year and October for retakes that could improve a superscore before the November 15 Early Action deadline.

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What you'll actually pay

CCA is a private not-for-profit, so the same tuition and fees rate of $60,226 applies to all students. The average merit award is $16,811, and students should submit the FAFSA by the February 1 priority deadline for financial aid consideration.

Tuition and Fees$60,226

Room and Board$22,099

Average Merit Award$16,811

Application Fee$70

Students on AidN/A

Average Aid PackageN/A

Average Debt at Grad$29,458

California College of the Arts’ listed cost of attendance is about $82,325, including $60,226 in tuition and fees and $22,099 for room and board. CCA reports an average merit award of $16,811, which can meaningfully reduce the price for students who qualify. For context, graduates leave with an average debt of $29,458.