About Columbus College of Art and Design

Founded in 1879, Columbus College of Art and Design. is a Private college. Located in Ohio, which is a city setting in Ohio, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 1,060 full time undergraduate students, and 35 full time graduate students.

The Columbus College of Art and Design Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 10:1. There are 63 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Columbus College of Art and Design include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate75%
Application Deadline
Application Fee50
SAT Range
ACT Range

Admissions at CCAD are considered Less Selective, with ,12% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 37 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

57% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 14% were in the top quarter, and 2% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Columbus College of Art and Design.

10%
“We”re apathetic”
15%
“We know about current events and vote”
50%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
25%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
19%
“Sometimes, but not often”
43%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
38%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
5%
“I only go out in groups”
38%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
57%
“I feel extremely safe”
89%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
0%
“We bought the gear”
11%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
5%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
5%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
90%
“We”re a very artistic group”
5%
“Haven”t met them”
10%
“Available in class”
33%
“They keep regular office hours”
52%
“They”re always available”
90%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
10%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
24%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
43%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
29%
“We only party on weekends”
5%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
24%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
38%
“There might be people who do”
33%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
5%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
10%
“We”re apathetic”
15%
“We know about current events and vote”
50%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
25%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
19%
“Sometimes, but not often”
43%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
38%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
5%
“I only go out in groups”
38%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
57%
“I feel extremely safe”
89%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
0%
“We bought the gear”
11%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
5%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
5%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
90%
“We”re a very artistic group”
5%
“Haven”t met them”
10%
“Available in class”
33%
“They keep regular office hours”
52%
“They”re always available”
90%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
10%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
24%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
43%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
29%
“We only party on weekends”
5%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
24%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
38%
“There might be people who do”
33%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
5%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship

  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    68 Students rated on-campus housing 3.2 stars. 12 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    60 Students rated off-campus housing 3.4 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    73 Students rated campus food 3.2 stars. 15 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    78 Students rated campus facilities 4 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    78 Students rated class size 4.4 stars. 59 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    78 Students rated school activities 3.2 stars. 15 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    78 Students rated local services 4 stars. 45 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    78 Students rated academics 3.9 stars. 31 % gave the school a 5.0.

Columbus College of Art and Design REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Columbus College of Art and Design?

23 Students rated Columbus College of Art and Design

Max - 04/20/2023

I love it. I'm so excited to be attending in the fall. I have always wanted to be a comic artist, and I feel so lucky to have found a school with a comics major and such wonderful facilities. The students and staff I've met also seem so nice and welcoming, and I can't wait to get to know everyone and make new friends.

Jennifer - 03/19/2023

When I started CCAD I was very excited about my journey there but have been disappointed. There is very little student engagement and almost no activities. There also are not a lot of clubs or none that meet on a regular basis. Most of my classes this year were relatively good. I have had some good professors and learned a lot about myself and where I needed to grow. Some teachers were better than others. A small percentage of the time the teachers felt rushed or wanted a project or assignment to be finished instead wanting us to be inspired. That was disappointing as a student. The community feels very small practically no student engagement. That along with a large portion of the student body going home each weekend has made my year at CCAD not the best, Yes, they will have occasionally have student events but in terms of on campus the spirit is kinda lost. There is so much that CCAD could do to improve itself but I cannot see the school making any changes or not any time soon.

Ivette - 05/12/2020

It is a great school to be in, the art and the general culture brings so much happiness into the school. There are so many people with unique styles in this school and you can learn a lot from just walking into a classroom and making conversation with others. This campus creates an environment where everyone can feel safe and spend time together having fun while working hard. The teachers and staff are really helpful as well and make sure to check up on you when you need it.

Sierra - 10/05/2019

The school is quite amazing, in my opinion! The classes all revolve around the arts, so it really helps with everyone's major. Classes are smaller, and it reminds me of the size of an average high school class; but not in a bad way! The professors are kind and understanding.

Columbus College of Art and Design FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Columbus College of Art and Design?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Columbus College of Art and Design is 75%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    If given the opportunity to go back and speak to myself as a senior in high school, I would decline the offer. Everything I learned about college was learned through experiences, both good and bad. Why would I deny myself the chance to learn from experiences that I treasure? I knew what to expect in high school as far as college goes, and I knew that it was going to be a big new world for me. I would not take the chance of speaking to myself in the past and ruining all of the experience up front. What's college life without learning from new experiences and friends?

    Read all 79 answers

  3. What's unique about your campus?

    Lots of opportunities, diverse classes, etc. Teachers are always trying to get us to be our best and constantly encouraging us, and bringing in guest speakers.

    Read all 22 answers

  4. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    CCAD is the greatest thing I have ever experienced in my 20 years of existence.

    Read all 19 answers

  5. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    I brag most about not having to take many courses outside my major field of study. I've been able to focus almost solely on illustration with out being distracted by math or science classes. I was taking courses relevant to my major my freshman year. This allowed me to see if it was a good fit for me and to start improvement early on in my college career.

    Read all 18 answers

  6. Describe the students at your school.

    Everyone is unique and extremely talented, and almost everyone would be happy to show you a few artistic tricks.

    Read all 17 answers

  7. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    The Columbus College of Art and Design is best known for producing artists of very high skill in a very high amount. Many allumni have worked for big name corporations, such as Disney, Pixar Studios, Victoria's Secret, and a multitude of other businesses ranging from animation to graphic design. The allumni are very loyal to CCAD and make trips back to CCAD for seminars and events.

    Read all 14 answers

  8. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    It has great ambitions, but is hopelessly misdirected in the newer world of art and technology.

    Read all 12 answers

  9. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    It is a small private school so you get the individual attention from the instructors.

    Read all 12 answers

  10. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The cost of the school is too high in my opinion. My parents are helping me pay for school, and when I was in High School the College told my parents I would get so much financial aid, and portfolio scholarships from them that my tuition would virtually be nothing. That is not the case. I am just hoping that I will graduate when I am supposed to, I was barely able to sign up for classes next semester.

    Read all 11 answers

  11. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Someone who is open to change and to other people. Everyone at an art school is already their own unique, special brand of person. You not only have to have a creative and open mind for art, but also to everyone around you. You would be surprised to find that art isn't the only thing that could inspire you, but the different people you meet here will be enough to inspire you to let go and become your own person as well. Everyone here is do wierd and unique that it makes it easier for others to open up.

    Read all 11 answers

  12. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Someone extremely conservative, close minded and non artistic/creative

    Read all 10 answers

  13. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    Absolutely nothin! I have enjod my learning expereince here at CCAD

    Read all 9 answers

  14. What are the academics like at your school?

    Small class sizes and class participation will help prepare you for presenting in a work setting. Art school is a totally different style of learning, but it's very valuable and A LOT of work!

    Read all 2 answers

  15. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    There are the fine arts students, the animation students, and others. We notice the differences between the majors, but most people still have no problems interacting with other majors.

    Read all 2 answers

  16. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    - CCAD students are not all crazy... just some of them. - Fewer people are medicated than not, but most of the prescribed should be taking the meds! - The CCAD community is mostly not gay, but it is an open environment, where gay people are less likely to be singled-out. - CCAD actually does a fantastic job of preparing most of its students for the career world. However, I highly recommend choosing a design degree rather than fine art. You can find ways to incorporate your passions into your designs. If you like sculpture, do fashion design or industrial design. If you like illustration, do graphic design. Just sayin'! - Many students at CCAD would struggle in a traditional collegiate setting b/c they learn differently than other people. The liberal arts courses are modified for CCAD students b/c taking studio and liberal arts courses at the same time is like training for a swim meet and sporadically being told to climb a mountain. Even if you're in peak physical condition, you're not acclimated to that specific sport. - CCAD students are too pretentious too young. But they take pride in what they do, form solid opinions, and work really hard to follow their visions. Granted, it is still a college and there are some losers, druggies, and chumps, but that's not the norm.

    Read all 1 answers

  17. Tell us about your professors.

    They great! 97{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of them are easy to comprehend and very helpful. They take the time to go over lessons and art demos with you and explain further if you don't understand it at first. A lot of the teachers will stay after hours for you and some even hold work groups near midterms and end of semesters. If anything, I think the teachers are some of the greatest parts of the school, and CCAD would be terrible without them. Except one philosophy teacher. He was terrible. . .

    Read all 1 answers

  18. What are the most popular classes offered?

    Mythology, Cafe Sketch for Animators

    Read all 1 answers

  19. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    - CCAD students are all crazy - CCAD students are all medicated - CCAD students are all gay - CCAD students are all on drugs - Getting an art degree will result in a long-term career as a barista at Starbucks. - Students attend CCAD b/c they cannot function at "real school" - CCAD students are too pretentious too young

    Read all 1 answers

  20. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    CCAD is a great size. You'll know most of the kids in your major and projected graduation year, and you'll consistently see many of the same people... makes it easy to feel at home.

    Read all 1 answers

  21. Describe your school to someone who's never heard of it.

    Ball or die.

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

68%

female

32%

male

1,060

Total Undergrad Enrollment

35

Total Grad Students

20%

Out-Of-State

72%

In-State

8%

International

Organizations

40

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

30%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
4%
% Black or African-American
10%
% Hispanic/Latino
6%
% White or Caucasian
64%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

99% of students attending Columbus College of Art and Design receive some sort of financial aid. 49% were awarded federal grants. While 90% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$32,880

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$4,000

Books and Supplies

$9,150

Room and Board

46,030

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$24,325
$30 - $48K
$22,310
$48 - $75K
$26,238
$75 - $110K
$30,482
$110K & UP
$31,385

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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