Art Center College of Design is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Art Center College of Design (ARC) is 70.97%. This means that 71 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
How Competitive are Art Center College of Design Admissions?
- Competitive: Applicants need good academics and extracurriculars.
- GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP/IB courses significantly impact admission chances.
- A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.

To secure admission, you must convince the admission staff that you are both mentally and physically fit for the course of study. More importantly, your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. Additionally, if you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as the ARC is not very strict in its admission process, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.
As the acceptance rate is above 50%, you still have a chance if your GPA is not excellent. You can make up for a lower GPA by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.
Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can enhance your admission chances.
Art Center College of Design Admission Requirements
ARC GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at ARC is 3.3. It means that ARC is selective in terms of the GPA. (Please note that most schools report a weighted GPA, which is out of 4.0. However, some schools may use unweighted GPAs. For exact information, contact the school admission staff).
With an average GPA of 3.3, ARC requires you to be above average in your class. You need to score more A's than B's in your classes to have good chances of admission. Additionally, you must take AP or IB courses to demonstrate your academic ability. More specifically, your AP and IB courses must be related to the area of your selected course of study. For example, if you are planning a career in engineering or IT, courses related to mathematics, calculus, and physics will help you.
If your GPA is less than 3.3 and higher than 3 then you need higher SAT or ACT scores to compensate. You need a minimum of 2.9 GPA, to secure admission at ARC. Below this, the chances of admission will be very slim.
Can I Get Into ARC Without SAT Or ACT?: Art Center College of Design does not require admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process and does not recommend that students provide these scores. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Art Center College of Design (ARC) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.
ARC Profile
Name: Art Center College of Design (ARC)
City: Pasadena
URL: www.artcenter.edu/
State: California
Type: Non-Profit Private
Zip: 91103
Campus: Main
Accredited by: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
How much does a degree from ARC Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Art Center College of Design is USD: 70276. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Art Center College of Design is much less than this.
How can I get a scholarship?
26.33% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 37.82 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to ARC and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Art Center College of Design, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist ARC as your choice in the form.
How much a ARC Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the ARC graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 71958. An average ARC graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Architectural Sciences and Technology
- Computer Software and Media Applications
- Design and Applied Arts
- Engineering-Related Fields
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Graphic Communications
- Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
Masters Degree Programs
Full list of All degree programs offered by Art Center College of Design.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.