California College of the Arts

San Francisco, CA · private nonprofit

Official site ↗

Admissions

Admit rate73.4%
Applicants
Middle-50% SAT—–—
Middle-50% ACT—–—
Avg GPA
Test policy
Avg net price / yr$42,168
Grad rate59%
Median earnings (10 yr)$49,414
Sourcescorecard_bulk · 2025

Application requirements

Early Action2025-11-15
Regular / RollingRolling
Application fee$70 (US) · $70 (intl)
Personal essayNot required
Test policynever required
Teacher recommendations1

Source: Common App first-year Requirements Grid, 2025-26 cycle. Confirm on the college's site — requirements can change mid-cycle.

Supplemental essays

~500 words each.

  1. At CCA we understand that art has the ability to live outside the studio, impacting others by sharing new perspectives and asking important questions. Most often these perspectives and questions are the result of the artist’s own lived experiences, identities, passions, and inspirations. In this essay, please reflect on how your unique perspective influences the art that you make/want to make while at CCA.

Copied verbatim from the school's official admissions page (2025-26 cycle).