Research.com
Columbus College of Art & Design logo

Columbus College of Art & Design

#1511 in US ranking Columbus, OH
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

Represent this school?

Update this profile on Research.com

Cost

Cost / year
$57,491
Tuition & fees
$42,995
Avg. aid
$22,725
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
68%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
56%
Median salary
$27,558
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Columbus College of Art & Design?

Columbus College of Art & Design is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Institutional accreditation applies to the college as a whole and is important to its eligibility to participate in federal student-aid programs.

Institutional accreditation does not mean that another college must accept every CCAD credit. Receiving schools decide how transferred courses fit their own degrees. It is also distinct from any specialized accreditation or professional approval that may apply to a particular field. Students considering a program tied to licensure or another professional credential should check that field's requirements separately.

What are the admission requirements at Columbus College of Art & Design?

First-year admission to CCAD is selective and places particular importance on evidence of creative ability. Applicants should expect to submit an application, academic information, and a portfolio or other formal demonstration of their work.

CCAD's reported admissions criteria require a secondary-school GPA and a high school completion credential or equivalent. Recommendations are considered but are not required; SAT and ACT scores are neither required nor recommended in the reported criteria. Applicants whose education was primarily in a language other than English should check the current English-proficiency requirements, including accepted tests and score thresholds.

In the reported first-year admissions cycle, CCAD admitted 730 of 1,079 applicants, an acceptance rate of about 68%. That figure describes a past applicant pool, not an individual's odds. Portfolio instructions, submission methods, and deadlines can differ by applicant type or entry term, so applicants should use the requirements for their intended term.

What are the application fees and waivers at Columbus College of Art & Design?

CCAD's reported undergraduate application fee is $50. An application fee is separate from any later enrollment deposit, tuition payment, or housing charge.

Applicants who may qualify for a fee waiver should check the waiver process before submitting payment: eligibility and the method for requesting a waiver can depend on the application route. Transfer, graduate, and other applicants should confirm the fee attached to their own application rather than assuming the undergraduate amount applies to every category.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Columbus College of Art & Design?

CCAD does not have a confirmed on-campus Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC unit. Applicants interested in officer training should not assume that enrollment at CCAD automatically permits participation in a nearby university's detachment.

Cross-enrollment, when offered, requires an arrangement with a host institution and may involve scheduling, academic, citizenship, medical, and service requirements. Before relying on ROTC as part of an enrollment or financing plan, a prospective student should obtain confirmation from the relevant host detachment and CCAD about eligibility and how courses would count.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Columbus College of Art & Design?

CCAD accepts transfer applicants for fall and spring entry and generally considers credits from other accredited colleges. Admission to CCAD and acceptance of particular courses toward a CCAD degree are separate decisions.

A transfer applicant should be prepared to provide records of previous college work and creative work for review. Art and design courses may need closer evaluation than a transcript title alone permits: a portfolio, syllabus, or course description can help establish whether a class matches a studio requirement. Reported policies also allow consideration of AP credit and CLEP examinations, but credit awarded does not necessarily replace a major requirement.

Students with substantial prior coursework should request an official, program-specific credit evaluation before committing. The useful questions are how many credits will transfer, which requirements they satisfy, and how many semesters of study remain - not simply how many credits appear on a transcript.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Columbus College of Art & Design?

CCAD students interested in studying abroad should plan around the sequencing of their studio courses and obtain academic approval before enrolling in an overseas program. An international experience is most useful to a degree plan when its courses have been reviewed for transferable credit.

Students should distinguish a CCAD-organized opportunity from an approved program run by another provider. They should also establish whether a proposed experience replaces a required studio course or counts only as an elective. Financial aid treatment, program charges, travel costs, and portfolio or prerequisite requirements can differ from a regular semester in Columbus.

Columbus College of Art & Design Admissions Factors

Acceptance rate
68%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
68%
Ohio
78%
US
78%

32% of admitted students enrolled (234 of 730)

Columbus College of Art & Design Admissions

Applicants
Total: 1,079
Admission
Total: 730
Enrolled
Total: 234
Women
Men

How to Apply to Columbus College of Art & Design

Application fee

$50

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

Columbus College of Art & Design First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 164
Out-of-state: 48

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 234
Transfer: 40

Columbus College of Art & Design Admission Requirements

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

Yes

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

No

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Neither required nor recommended

Secondary school record

Neither required nor recommended

Completion of college-preparatory program

Neither required nor recommended

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Required

Admission test scores

Neither required nor recommended

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

Study abroad

No

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

No

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

No

Columbus College of Art & Design Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

Recently Published Articles