Overview of California College of the Arts
California College of the Arts (CCA) is a private art and design school with campuses in San Francisco and Oakland, California. Established in 1907, CCA has a rich history of fostering creativity, innovation, and critical thinking in the fields of fine arts, design, architecture, and writing. The college is known for its interdisciplinary approach, emphasis on social and environmental responsibility, and a commitment to preparing students for impactful careers in the arts.
Campuses and Facilities: California College of the Arts operates two campuses—the San Francisco campus, located in the vibrant Potrero Hill neighborhood, and the Oakland campus, situated near Lake Merritt. Both campuses provide dynamic environments that inspire artistic exploration and collaboration.
The San Francisco campus features studios, classrooms, and exhibition spaces, while the Oakland campus houses additional studios, workshops, and the Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts—an essential venue for exhibitions, lectures, and events. These campuses reflect CCA’s commitment to providing students with state-of-the-art facilities and resources to support their creative endeavors.
Academic Programs: CCA offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs in fine arts, design, architecture, and writing. The college is organized into four schools—the School of Fine Arts, the School of Architecture, the School of Design, and the Writing and Literature Program.
The curriculum is designed to be interdisciplinary, allowing students to explore connections between different disciplines and approaches to artistic expression. Courses are taught by a faculty of practicing artists, designers, architects, and writers who bring real-world insights to the learning experience.
Interdisciplinary Approach: CCA embraces an interdisciplinary approach to education, encouraging students to collaborate across disciplines and think critically about the intersections of art and design. This approach reflects the evolving nature of contemporary creative practices, where boundaries between traditional disciplines are often blurred.
Interdisciplinary studios, collaborative projects, and joint programs between schools provide students with opportunities to engage in cross-disciplinary dialogue and experimentation. CCA believes that fostering a diversity of perspectives and skill sets prepares students to navigate the complexities of the contemporary art and design landscape.
Social and Environmental Responsibility: California College of the Arts places a strong emphasis on social and environmental responsibility in its educational programs. The college encourages students to consider the impact of their work on society and the environment, promoting ethical and sustainable practices in the arts and design.
Initiatives such as the Center for Art and Public Life and the Center for Impact at CCA provide platforms for students to engage in community-based projects, addressing social issues and contributing to positive change. CCA’s commitment to responsible creativity aligns with its mission to educate artists and designers who are conscious of their roles in shaping a better world.
Experiential Learning: CCA values experiential learning as a crucial component of artistic education. The college provides students with opportunities for internships, residencies, and collaborative projects with industry partners. These experiences enable students to apply their skills in real-world contexts, gain exposure to professional practices, and build connections in their fields.
The Co-Ops + Careers office at CCA supports students in navigating career paths, developing professional skills, and connecting with employers. The college’s commitment to preparing students for successful careers extends beyond technical skills, emphasizing critical thinking, adaptability, and an entrepreneurial mindset.
Global Perspectives and Study Abroad: Recognizing the importance of global perspectives in the arts, CCA encourages students to explore international experiences through study abroad programs and global partnerships. These opportunities allow students to immerse themselves in different cultural contexts, expand their worldviews, and gain insights from diverse artistic traditions.
The college’s commitment to global engagement aligns with its mission to prepare artists and designers who are responsive to the complexities of a globalized world. CCA’s international initiatives contribute to the development of a diverse and culturally aware creative community.
Community and Campus Life: CCA fosters a vibrant and inclusive community where students, faculty, and staff engage in collaborative learning and artistic exploration. The college hosts exhibitions, lectures, and events that contribute to a dynamic campus culture. Students have access to a range of student organizations, clubs, and activities that cater to diverse interests and identities.
The presence of art galleries, exhibition spaces, and public art installations on campus creates an environment that celebrates creativity and artistic expression. CCA believes in the transformative power of art and design to shape culture and contribute to societal discourse.
Alumni Success: California College of the Arts has a distinguished alumni network that includes renowned artists, designers, architects, and writers. Graduates of CCA can be found in prominent positions in the art and design world, contributing to the cultural landscape and influencing contemporary creative practices. The success of CCA alumni reflects the impact of the college’s education in fostering innovative thinkers and creative leaders.
Innovation and Research: CCA is committed to fostering innovation and research in the arts and design. The college encourages faculty and student research initiatives, providing resources and support for projects that contribute to the advancement of creative practices. Programs like the Center for Art + Public Life and the Architectural Ecologies Lab exemplify CCA’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of artistic inquiry and exploring new possibilities in design and architecture.
Technology and Resources: California College of the Arts recognizes the importance of technology in contemporary artistic practices. The college provides students with access to cutting-edge tools, software, and fabrication labs. Facilities such as the Hybrid Lab and the Digital Craft Lab enable students to experiment with emerging technologies, enhancing their creative capabilities and preparing them for the evolving landscape of art and design.
Conclusion: California College of the Arts stands as a dynamic and forward-thinking institution dedicated to fostering creativity, innovation, and social responsibility in the arts. With its interdisciplinary approach, commitment to global perspectives, and emphasis on experiential learning, CCA continues to shape the education and future success of artists, designers, architects, and writers in a rapidly changing and interconnected world.
1111 Eighth Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: (800) 447-1278
Email: enroll@cca.edu
Web site: http://www.cca.edu
Rankings: California College of the Arts
Located in San Francisco, CA, California College of the Arts is one of the best universities in the state of California. On this page, you will find in-depth rankings for California College of the Arts in the following areas: graduation rates, teaching resources, financing opportunities, and alumni donations. Latest acceptance rate is also given to show how competitive is California College of the Arts.
California College of the Arts (CCA) is a top-ranked art and design school with campuses in San Francisco, Oakland, and beyond. Founded in 1907, CCA is one of the oldest art schools in the US and has consistently been ranked among the best art and design schools in the world. In 2020, U.S. News & World Report ranked CCA as #1 among regional colleges in the West for Fine Arts programs for their second consecutive year, as well as #4 for Graphic Design programs nationwide. Additionally, CollegeChoice.net named CCA #2 on their list of Best Art Schools in California for 2019-2020.
In addition to these rankings, CCA also holds numerous recognitions from organizations across multiple disciplines including interior design, industrial design, graphic design, architecture and more. For example, DesignIntelligence recently recognized CCA’s undergraduate architecture program as one of the top 10 most admired undergraduate programs nationwide; Architect Magazine also highlighted CCA’s graduate architecture program as one of “America’s Best Architecture & Design Schools 2017/18”; and Interaction Design Foundation included CCA’s interaction design program on their list of “The Best Interaction Design Schools Around The World 2020”. These rankings not only demonstrate that California College of Arts is a leader in providing quality education to its students but also recognizes its commitment to excellence across all areas of art and design studies.
| Rankings, Ratings, and Admissions Statistics | |
| Peer college rating (out of 5) | N/A |
| Graduation and retention ranking: | N/A |
| Average freshman retention rate: | 74.5% |
| 6-year graduation rate: | 57.5% |
| Predicted graduation rate: | N/A |
| Overperformance(+)/Underperformance(-): | N/A |
| Faculty resources ranking: | N/A |
| Classes with under 20 students (2020): | 92.4% |
| Classes with 50 or more students (2020): | 0.2% |
| Student faculty ratio (2020): | 7:1 |
| Percent of faculty who are full-time (2020) | 36.6% |
| Student selectivity ranking: | N/A |
| SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile (2020) | 950-1190 |
| 2020 Freshmen in top 10 percent of high school class: | N/A |
| Freshmen in top 25 percent of high school class (2020): | N/A |
| Fall 2020 Acceptance rate: | 76.8% |
| Financial resources rank: | N/A |
| Alumni giving rank: | N/A |
| Average alumni giving rate (2020): | 6.9% |
Essential Facts: California College of the Arts
- In 2018, U.S. News and World Report listed the California College of the Arts as having the 15th best Fine Arts program in the United States (tied with Stanford University and Temple University).
- California College of the Arts has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,468, with a gender distribution of 38 percent male students and 62 percent female students.
- California College of the Arts offers a distance education program, study abroad programs, and evening/weekend study opportunity, which is a wonderful option for those who work full-time.
Rules and regulations Sports Activities
| General Information | |
| Percent of undergraduate students who live in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing: | 6% |
| Percent of undergraduates who are members of a fraternity: | N/A |
| Percent of student body who are members of a sorority: | N/A |
| Average percentage of students on campus during weekends: | 15% |
| Are all students permitted to have cars on campus? | No |
| Percent of students who have cars on campus: | 0% |
| Is alcohol permitted on campus for students of legal age? | No |
| Additional policies and regulations: | class attendance policies set by individual instructors |
| Collegiate athletic association: | N/A |
| Men’s scholarship sports: | N/A |
| Women’s scholarship sports: | N/A |
| Student activities: | literary magazine, student government, student film society |