We’re here to help answer your admissions questions.
Admission Office
Call us 626 396-2373
Text us 626 389-2373
admissions@artcenter.edu
Decision Notification and Next Steps for Accepted Students
All you need to know about ArtCenter’s application notification process and what to do after you’re accepted
ArtCenter practices rolling admissions. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis until a program is full. Please note that space in a program may be available as late as registration day of the desired term.
ArtCenter, at its discretion, reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission if any information contained in the Admission Application is found to be incomplete, inaccurate, or misleading, if subsequent information leads to serious concerns, or if any submitted documents, materials, or test scores are inaccurate or are the result of wrongful or fraudulent activity. Violation of this Policy may result in rescinding an offer of admission, expulsion after enrollment, and retraction of degrees awarded.
Decision Notification
Application Decisions
Applicants will be notified of the Admissions Committee's decision through the Applicant Portal. An email advising applicants to log in to their Applicant Portal will be sent when a decision has been released.
Applicants will receive a decision after all application requirements are met, usually within three weeks, with the exceptions noted below.
- Fall Early Action decisions will be released by January.
- Fall Priority Date decisions will be released in March.
- Spring Priority Date decisions will be released by November.
With the exception of Entertainment Design, if a program reaches capacity during the review process, accepted applicants will be offered a place in the next available term.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Decisions
Financial Aid Offer notification is sent separately from the admissions decision notification.
Accepted students who applied for scholarship or financial aid will receive an email when their Financial Aid Offer is ready to view online on their Financial Aid Dashboard. The Financial Aid Dashboard requires access to the College’s student portal, Inside ArtCenter.
- Fall Term Early Action Applicants will typically receive financial aid and scholarship decisions by mid-January.
- Fall Term Priority Date Applicants will typically receive financial aid and scholarship decisions by early April.
- Spring Term financial aid and scholarship decisions begin going out in mid-November.
After these initial dates, Financial Aid Offers will be issued on a rolling basis, typically within 3 weeks of an applicant’s acceptance and/or receiving an applicant’s completed FAFSA, if required.
Inside ArtCenter Student Portal
Login information for ArtCenter’s student portal, inside.artcenter.edu, will be sent in a separate email approximately 2-3 days following acceptance. Inside ArtCenter will be used to access your financial aid and any scholarships, pay tuition and view your student schedule.
Next Steps
Response Deadline
ArtCenter does not have a response deadline for admitted students as acceptance does not guarantee a place in the class.
Tuition deposits are accepted first-come, first-served basis until classes are full for each term. A student’s place in the class cannot be assured until the College has sent the student a written confirmation of deposit.
Next Steps for Accepted Undergraduate Students
ArtCenter does not have a response deadline for admitted students as acceptance does not guarantee a place in the class.
Tuition deposits are accepted first-come, first-served basis until classes are full for each term. A student’s place in the class cannot be assured until the College has sent the student a written confirmation of deposit.
To aid in your decision-making process, we recommend you:
- Review your Financial Aid offer
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Finances are an important consideration in your enrollment decision. We strongly recommend you review your Financial Aid offer prior to making your nonrefundable tuition deposit. You can also review A Guide to Your Financial Aid, which explains ArtCenter Scholarship and Grant Policies and other important information.
If you have questions about ArtCenter scholarships, please connect with your admissions counselor via email or schedule an appointment.
If you have questions about federal and state Financial Aid and applying your Veteran’s benefits toward your ArtCenter education, please contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@artcenter.edu.
- Connect with Admissions
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We know choosing a college is an important decision. Whether you’re looking to learn more about the College, the program you’ll be joining, scholarship aid, campus resources, student life, or anything else to inform your decision, Admissions is available to support you in this next stage of your ArtCenter journey.
Meet with a counselor one-on-one, visit ArtCenter for a student-led Campus Tour, and check your email for invitations to in-person and virtual Accepted Student events.
- Submit your $300 nonrefundable tuition deposit and reply form
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To accept your offer of Admission, submit the Reply Form with your nonrefundable deposit to officially hold your place in the class. Credit and debit card payments are accepted in the payment form. Please contact admissions@artcenter.edu or 626 396-2373 if you have any difficulty submitting your payment.
Tuition deposits will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until classes are full for each term; acceptance does not guarantee a place in the class. Space availability can change rapidly, so we encourage students to submit their deposits as soon as they decide to enroll at ArtCenter.
Next Steps for Enrolling (Matriculating) Students
International Students Applying for an F-1 Visa
International students will be required to show financial means for two semesters of tuition and fees and three semesters of living costs. The U.S. government requires this to study on an F-1 visa.
The cost for Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2027 to be verified is $88,882 for undergraduate students but will vary each year. The amount can be covered through bank statements and any scholarship support received.
Enrolling international students may submit their application for the I-20 document necessary to apply for the F-1 visa here by logging in to the applicant portal using the credentials used to apply. Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing.
All Students
- Submit official copies of your high school and/or college transcripts
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If you provided unofficial copies of your transcripts as part of your application, then your acceptance is contingent upon receipt of official transcripts with your high school graduation date. Submit official transcripts to Admissions in a sealed official envelope sent directly from each institution you have attended, or electronically via secure electronic transcript service like Naviance, Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, Scribbles, or eTranscript. Final official transcripts must be received one week prior to the start of your first term at ArtCenter.
Official transcripts can be mailed to
ArtCenter College of Design
Attn: Admissions Office
1700 Lida St
Pasadena, CA 91103 - Submit your Student Health Information Form
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ArtCenter requires enrolling students to submit a negative tuberculosis test dated within 6 months of enrollment and a completed Student Health Form. Access the health from here by logging in to the applicant portal using the credentials you used to apply. The completed form must be submitted to Admissions before Orientation.
- Consider Housing Options
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ArtCenter does not currently offer on-campus housing. Prospective and admitted students are encouraged to view the Housing page for more information.
For enrolling students, Admissions and the Center for the Student Experience (CSE) provide resources for finding off-campus housing throughout Pasadena and Los Angeles. Pre-orientation offerings include multiple virtual sessions that familiarize students with a variety of living arrangements, such as roommate searches, rooms within homes, guest houses, apartments and houses for rent, as well as information about utilities, amenities, rental costs and landlord contact information for each listing.
- Review Tuition and Fees and Payment Deadline
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Review ArtCenter’s Tuition and Fees information here.
Student tuition is due and payable by the Friday of the first week of class (Week 1).
Tuition may be paid by check, credit card, cash, cashier’s check or wire transfer. Payments can be made in person with the Cashier or online by credit card at artcenter.edu/registration.
If full payment is not received by the Friday of the first week of class (Week 1), you will be automatically enrolled in a Payment Plan, which allows for your balance to be paid in three equal installments. A one-time non-refundable Payment Plan Fee of $75 will be assessed if you are enrolled in a Payment Plan
You must be paid in full before registering for the next term.
- Get Ready for ArtCenter Life
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ArtCenter Email
Your student email will be available approximately one month before the term begins.
Deferring Admission
Accepted applicants may request to defer their admission for one consecutive term following their acceptance (provided there is room), except for Entertainment Design. Students wishing to defer their admission should submit their request using the Reply Form.
In situations where a student requests to defer after submitting an enrollment deposit, the tuition deposit will apply only to the term of original acceptance. Only the acceptance, not the deposit, can be carried over. A new deposit is required for the subsequent term and is also nonrefundable.
Financial aid and scholarships are not deferred but are reviewed for the new term of entry.
Declining Admission
Accepted applicants who decide not to enroll are kindly asked to notify ArtCenter of their decision by submitting the Reply Form in the applicant portal.
Additional Information
Academic Calendar
The academic calendar, including the start and end dates for the term, is posted on our website here.
Class Schedules
New incoming students are placed in classes by Enrollment Services for their first term at ArtCenter and do not need to register themselves. Students will receive a finalized class schedule the week of Orientation. Any courses showing on the Student Planning Dashboard before Orientation are not final and will be subject to change until you receive your final schedule.
After their first term at ArtCenter, students are responsible for registering for classes.
Disability Accommodations
Upon receiving a letter of acceptance from the College, any person with a disability who may require special accommodations should discuss their needs with the Center for the Student Experience staff.
Additional policy information can be found in ArtCenter’s Student Handbook.
