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California College of the Arts

145 Hooper Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA

California College of the Arts award
California College of the Arts award
US ranking
position: 1221
Tuition & fees per year: $61,764
Acceptance rate: 73.00%
Median alumni salary: $26,648
Avg. SAT and ACT: N/A
Entrance difficulty: N/A

What does California College of the Arts offer in terms of athletics?

California College of the Arts provides opportunities for students to participate in a variety of athletic activities, although its focus remains primarily on arts and design education. The college supports several intramural and recreational sports, enabling students to stay active and engage in physical exercise alongside their academic commitments. While it does not emphasize competitive varsity sports, the institution encourages involvement in fitness programs and wellness initiatives that complement a balanced student lifestyle.

What student groups and Associations are available at California College of the Arts?

California College of the Arts offers a diverse selection of student groups that cater to various interests and communities. Among these are Black Brilliance, which likely focuses on celebrating and supporting Black students and culture. The Band of Musicians provides an outlet for musically inclined students to collaborate and perform together. Creative students interested in visual storytelling can join the 24 Frames Animation Club. Additionally, the Hang Out With You Club offers a social space for students seeking casual interaction and companionship. The Beyond Barriers: Disability Pride & Support Group serves as a supportive community for students with disabilities, promoting pride and advocacy.

Who studies at California College of the Arts?

California College of the Arts enrolls a moderate number of new students each year, with approximately 186 freshmen and 54 transfer students, totaling around 240 new entrants annually. This intake size places the institution in the lower 35th percentile compared to other colleges, indicating a relatively smaller freshman and transfer population.

The age distribution among students reveals a diverse range. Undergraduate students primarily fall between 18 and 24 years old, with the heaviest concentration aged 20 to 21 (341 students) and 22 to 24 (303 students). Younger undergraduates under 18 are rare, while mature students aged 25 to 29 and above are fewer but present. Graduate students tend to be older, mostly between 25 and 34 years, with notable numbers aged 22 to 24 as well, highlighting a blend of early-career and more experienced learners.

Ethnic representation at California College of the Arts shows a mixture of backgrounds, with Hispanic students numbering 163, Asian students at 155, and White students totaling 206. The representation levels for Hispanic and Asian students are considered average within the bottom 40-45th percentile, while White student representation is noted as low, falling in the bottom 30th percentile. Other demographic groups include African American students (40), Native American students (3), Pacific Islanders (2), students identifying with two or more races (68), and those of unknown ethnicity (37), all reflecting average representation levels clustered in the lower 30-50th percentiles.

How does student life look like at California College of the Arts?

Student life at California College of the Arts features a variety of campus media opportunities, including a campus newspaper and a radio station, providing students with platforms to engage in journalism and broadcasting. While the campus does not host theater productions, bands, choirs, or television outlets, these media options offer creative outlets for student expression.

Health and wellness services include access to psychological counseling, supporting students' mental health needs. However, the institution does not have on-campus health clinics, legal services, veterans' affairs offices, or women's centers.

The campus encompasses an area measured at 11 units, though the exact unit is not specified, suggesting a moderately sized environment for student activities and academic pursuits.

What libraries are available to students at California College of the Arts?

California College of the Arts offers access to two libraries, with its main facility named Simpson Library. The number of libraries available places the institution around the top half compared to similar colleges. While the collection size is moderate, with approximately 59,000 physical books, this figure ranks in the lower 40th percentile.

The college provides a variety of subscription resources, including around 374 subscriptions and more than 12,500 digital subscriptions. However, the number of digital subscriptions and eBooks, totaling about 28,500, are relatively limited when measured against peer institutions, falling near the bottom 20 to 40 percentiles for these categories.

Students benefit from access to 33 databases, ranked just below the median, and while the library operates an average of 39 service hours weekly, it does not offer study rooms or all-day access. Physical facilities and digital access are both available, supported by trained library staff during established hours. Additionally, students have access to shared collections beyond the campus libraries.

California College of the Arts Student Life for 2026

Total enrollment

1308

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

153

Member of Athletic Associations

Data not available

Total staff

74 full time, 256 part time

Veterans affair office

No

California College of the Arts Library Services and Resources

Main library name

Simpson Library

Number of libraries on campus

2

Reservable study rooms in library

No

24h access

No

Physical facilities

Yes

Access to digital/electronic resources

Yes

Staff trained to provide and interpret library materials

Yes

Established library hours

Yes

Access to library collections that are shared with other institutions

Yes

California College of the Arts Computer Labs Access

  • 24h access
  • Help desk

California College of the Arts Student Life Enrollment Statistics

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshman
Transfer

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

California College of the Arts Location & Map

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