Is California College of the Arts worth it?

San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit · 4-year

California College of the Arts is a private nonprofit, four-year institution in San Francisco, California (large city). It awarded 443 degrees in 2024, most often in animation, interactive technology, video graphics; human computer interaction; and computer graphics.

Employer and job title data for California College of the Arts is being added

Federal data below is live now. When the scan lands, this page will show graduates found employed, top employers, first and current job titles, industries, metros and the trend by class year.

  • Employers and job titles from public professional profiles
  • Industries, metros and states graduates were found in
  • Found employed by class year, 2020 to 2025

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Federal data

Federal context for California College of the Arts

Published by the federal government for federally aided students. It does not say which employers hire graduates.

Median earnings 1 year after

$26,648

Median earnings 4 years after

$53,517

Median earnings 10 years after

$49,414

Average net price

$53,909

Completion rate

61%

Completions (2024)

443

Years to pay back

4.0 years

Students (undergrad)

990

Median earnings after completing, by program

ProgramCredentialMedian earnings, 1yrMedian earnings, 4yrGraduates counted
Design and Applied ArtsBachelor's$28,673$59,23887
Fine and Studio ArtsBachelor's$17,690$44,01261
Graphic CommunicationsBachelor's$26,481$31,06845
Fine and Studio ArtsMaster's$24,495$57,71727
Business Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's$94,345$157,12226
Architectural Sciences and TechnologyMaster's$76,381N/A21
Human Computer InteractionBachelor's$101,801$149,14919
ArchitectureBachelor'sN/AN/AN/A
ArchitectureMaster'sN/AN/AN/A
Architectural Sciences and TechnologyBachelor'sN/AN/AN/A
Graphic CommunicationsMaster'sN/AN/AN/A
Computer Software and Media ApplicationsBachelor'sN/AN/AN/A
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesBachelor'sN/AN/AN/A
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesMaster'sN/AN/AN/A
Museology/Museum StudiesMaster'sN/AN/AN/A

Source: College Scorecard, June 2026 release, and IPEDS. Earnings cover federally aided students only, so they do not cover every graduate.

Awards conferred, by program

Awards conferred in 2024, from IPEDS completions.
ProgramAward levelAwards
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special EffectsBachelor's51
Human Computer InteractionMaster's45
Computer GraphicsBachelor's38
IllustrationBachelor's36
Design and Visual Communications, GeneralMaster's32
Industrial and Product DesignBachelor's27
Human Computer InteractionBachelor's20
Fine/Studio Arts, GeneralMaster's20
Fashion/Apparel DesignBachelor's19
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special EffectsMaster's17

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Sources: federal figures for California College of the Arts. Federal figures from College Scorecard and IPEDS. Occupation pay from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS for California. Counts under 10 are not published.

Updated September 18, 2026 · Methodology · Report a problem with this page