Tuition and Aid
Estimated Cost of Attendance
Each term, tuition fees include up to 19 credits for undergraduate students and 24 credits for graduate students.
Every student who applies for financial aid is assigned a cost of attendance (COA). This COA is often referred to as a student budget. The student budget gives you an estimate of the cost to attend ArtCenter. This means your actual expenses may differ from what is listed.
The COA includes Direct Costs and Indirect Costs.
Tuition and Fees
Fall 2024 through Summer 2025 Tuition and Fees Per Term
| Full Time Undergraduate Tuition (per term): | $26,543 |
| Full Time Graduate Tuition (per term): | $28,052 |
| Universal Access Fee (required each term): | $542 |
Fall 2025 through Summer 2026 Tuition and Fees Per Term
| Full Time Undergraduate Tuition (per term): | $27,591 |
| Full Time Graduate Tuition (per term): | $29,160 |
| Universal Access Fee (required each term): | $563 |
Direct Costs (Billed by ArtCenter)
Tuition and Fees are direct costs that will be billed to you by ArtCenter for each semester you attend. Tuition and fees are the only set costs.
Note: As the College strives toward the highest level of education, tuition increases typically occur once a year in the Fall Term. Students should plan for such usual increases.
Fees: The Universal Access Fee (UAF) covers specialized costs associated with technology and equipment usage that facilitate learning and making specific to art and design education across departments. This includes, but is not limited to, software access and licensing and usage of the Shops and 3D Modeling labs, computer labs, Educational Media Equipment Center, and the support, upgrades, and maintenance related to providing such resources. Due to increased demand for these critical services, the proliferation of digital making across all departments, and expanded multimodal course offerings, periodic adjustments to the UAF may be necessary to ensure that students have access to critical, specialized tools necessary for their development and learning.
Indirect Costs (Estimated)
Indirect costs are paid by the student. Your indirect costs will vary depending on your individual classes and lifestyle and include books, course materials, supplies and equipment, housing, food, transportation, and personal expenses. You should estimate the amount you will need for these items.
We have included an estimated amount in the following budget. Students can help to lower their cost of living expenses by living at home, sharing an apartment or room with another student, eating meals at home, and by using public transportation. Students who have questions about their budget expenses should meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss their situation.
Estimated Student Cost of Attendance
2024-2025 Estimated Undergraduate Student Cost of Attendance
| Full Time Enrollment |
Fall and Spring |
| (2 Terms) | |
| Tuition | $53,086 |
| Fees | $1,084 |
| Total Direct Costs | $54,170 |
| Off Campus Housing and Food | $19,632 |
| (At home - $10,216) | |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment | $4,000 |
| Transportation | $3,098 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $4,098 |
| Loan Fees | $60 |
| Total Indirect Costs | $30,888 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $85,058 |
These figures are based on estimated expenses for a student enrolled in the fall and spring semesters of the 2024-2025 academic year. If you plan to take summer term, you must complete a separate application in the spring and we will update your cost of attendance to include summer, as well.
Student Health Insurance
All enrolled ArtCenter students are automatically covered by a PPO student health insurance policy.
This is a free benefit to students with no additional charge. It may not be waived but does become secondary to any other policy under which you are covered. For more information visit Student Health Insurance
2024-2025 Estimated Graduate Student Cost of Attendance
| Full Time Enrollment |
Fall and Spring |
| (2 Terms) | |
| Tuition | $56,104 |
| Fees | $1,084 |
| Total Direct Costs | $57,188 |
| Off Campus Housing and Food | $19,632 |
| (At home - $10,216) | |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment | $4,000 |
| Transportation | $3,098 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $4,098 |
| Loan Fees | $60 |
| Total Indirect Costs | $30,888 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $88,076 |
These figures are based on estimated expenses for a student enrolled in the fall and spring semesters of the 2024-2025 academic year. If you plan to take summer term, you must complete a separate application in the spring and we will update your cost of attendance to include summer, as well.
Student Health Insurance
All enrolled ArtCenter students are automatically covered by a PPO student health insurance policy.
This is a free benefit to students with no additional charge. It may not be waived but does become secondary to any other policy under which you are covered. For more information visit Student Health Insurance.
2025-2026 Estimated Undergraduate Student Cost of Attendance
| Full Time Enrollment |
Fall and Spring |
| (2 Terms) | |
| Tuition | $55,182 |
| Fees | $1,126 |
| Total Direct Costs | $56,308 |
| Off Campus Housing and Food | $20,224 |
| (At home - $10,520) | |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment | $4,000 |
| Transportation | $1,768 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $4,504 |
| Loan Fees | $88 |
| Total Indirect Costs | $30,584 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $86,892 |
These figures are based on estimated expenses for a student enrolled in the Fall and Spring semesters of the 2025-2026 academic year. If you plan to take Summer term, you must complete a separate short application in the Spring and we will update your cost of attendance to include Summer, as well.
2025-2026 Estimated Graduate Student Cost of Attendance
| Full Time Enrollment |
Fall and Spring |
| (2 Terms) | |
| Tuition | $58,320 |
| Fees | $1,126 |
| Total Direct Costs | $59,446 |
| Off Campus Housing and Food | $20,224 |
| (At home - $10,520) | |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment | $4,000 |
| Transportation | $1,768 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $4,504 |
| Loan Fees | $88 |
| Total Indirect Costs | $30,584 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $90,030 |
These figures are based on estimated expenses for a student enrolled in the Fall and Spring semesters of the 2025-2026 academic year. If you plan to take Summer term, you must complete a separate short application in the Spring and we will update your cost of attendance to include Summer, as well.
Due Dates and Payment Process
Student tuition is due and payable by Friday of the first week of class (Week 1). If full payment is not received by this date, a one-time non-refundable Payment Plan Fee of $75 will be assessed. Tuition may be paid by check, credit card, cashier’s check, ACH or wire transfer. Contact StudentAccounts@artcenter.edu for bank instructions to send an ACH or a wire.
If paying by check, please make check, money order or cashier’s check payable to ArtCenter College of Design.
Mail checks to:
ArtCenter College of Design
P.O. Box 843727
Pasadena, CA 90084-3727
Include your name and student ID
Checks may be dropped off at the South Campus drop box at:
Student Accounts – 4th Floor
1111 South Arroyo Pkwy, Suite 410
Pasadena, CA 91105
Please do not place cash in drop box!
Financial aid will be credited to your account and deducted from the amount due. If you are expecting financial aid, please only pay the amount that is not covered by your aid. This can be viewed online by the student by logging in to Inside.ArtCenter.edu.
Refunds on tuition overpayments are available only after tuition and fees are paid in full, and your account has a credit balance.