ArtCenter College of Design

BFA / BS

Portfolio must be specific to the applied major. Requirements vary by major, e.g.: Entertainment Design (Concept) requires a 20–25 page portfolio; Fine Art requires 15–20 works; Graphic Design requires 6–10 projects; First Year Immersion (undecided major) requires 12–15 works. Some majors require a Video Essay. Uploaded via the online application or Applicant Portal.

Applicants with non-English-taught qualifications must submit TOEFL iBT / IELTS / Duolingo. IELTS: Academic IELTS minimum 6.5. TOEFL iBT (after 21 January 2026): total minimum 4 (1–6 scale). Duolingo: minimum 115. Scores valid within two years, sent directly by the testing agency.

Full Time Undergraduate Tuition (per term): $28,681 (Fall 2026 through Summer 2027 academic year); plus Universal Access Fee $653/semester

Rolling admission, no formal deadline (except Entertainment Design); Fall early application 15 November, Fall priority date 1 February, Spring priority date 1 October

If English ability is in doubt, the committee may require an interview or test (not mandatory)

MFA / MS / MDes

Each programme requires a portfolio, written essays and CV; some programmes require recommendation letters. E.g. Art MFA requires 15–20 recent works; Graphic Design MFA requires 6–10 projects. Uploaded via the online application or Applicant Portal.

Applicants with non-English-taught bachelor's degrees must submit TOEFL iBT / IELTS / Duolingo. IELTS: Academic IELTS minimum 7.0. TOEFL iBT (after 21 January 2026): total minimum 5 (1–6 scale). Duolingo: minimum 130.

Full Time Graduate Tuition (per term): $30,312 (Fall 2026 through Summer 2027 academic year); plus Universal Access Fee $653/semester

All graduate programmes admit only in Fall; applications open 1 August; Priority Application Deadline 15 January; applications continue to be accepted while places remain

Online or telephone interviews may be requested

First Year Immersion (undecided-major preparatory/exploration programme): students take foundational courses such as drawing, creative technology and visual thinking in the first two terms, then choose a major (Fall entry only). URL: https://www.artcenter.edu/academics/undergraduate-degrees/first-year-immersion/overview.html

International students need not submit FAFSA; they may indicate interest at application, with merit scholarships assessed by portfolio and academic performance, limited in number and highly competitive. URL: https://www.artcenter.edu/admissions/tuition-and-aid/financial-aid/scholarships.html

Stipulates: use of generative AI in the portfolio and application documents must be disclosed and labelled; AI may be used for research gathering, concept exploration and organising research, but submitted work must genuinely reflect the applicant's own creative ability; undisclosed use of generative AI is treated as a violation of admissions policy, and the school reserves the right to use AI verification tools and reject the application. URL: https://www.artcenter.edu/admissions/ai-policy.html