California College of the Arts

California College of the Arts (CCA) is a private nonprofit art and design college at 145 Hooper Street in San Francisco. Its academic focus spans visual art, design, architecture, film, writing, and related creative fields. There is, however, a decisive limit for anyone considering the school now: CCA has announced that it will end its operations after the 2026–27 academic year and will not admit a new incoming Fall 2026 class. CCA is therefore in a teach-out period for current students, not a regular option for a new applicant planning a multi-year degree. Vanderbilt University expects to begin separate academic operations at the San Francisco site no earlier than Fall 2027; the future programs and approvals are still being developed.

Programs and the transition

CCA’s existing programs include animation, architecture, ceramics, comics, communication design, fashion design, film, illustration, industrial design, interaction design, photography, painting and drawing, sculpture, and writing, with undergraduate and graduate study. Current students can continue through the 2026–27 academic year if they are on track to finish, and the college says it is reviewing course schedules so eligible students can complete their degrees by June 2027. CCA says degrees awarded through Spring 2027 will remain recognized and accredited. Students whose degree will take longer should review transfer and teach-out arrangements now: partner institutions set their own application, credit-evaluation, financial-aid, housing, and enrollment rules. CCA’s student transition guide explains the current options and lets students schedule transition support. CCA is not accepting new applicants for a future class, so this is not an application link.

Tuition and support for continuing students

For Fall 2026 and Spring 2027, full-time undergraduate tuition is $30,432 per term for 12–18 units, or $60,864 for the two terms before fees and living costs. The posted schedule also lists a $115 registration fee, a $155 transportation fee, an $80 Adobe access fee, and a $100 student-services fee per term for full-time students. A double studio in Founders Hall is listed at $14,820 for both terms; residents in units without kitchens must add the $6,932 Essential meal plan. Materials, health insurance, and personal expenses can increase the total. CCA states that existing merit scholarships will continue through 2026–27 and that need-based aid remains available through FAFSA or CADAA for eligible students. Its CCA Legacy Award adds up to $5,000 per year for undergraduates or $2,500 for graduate students, subject to the institutional-aid cap and eligibility. Aid at a transfer or teach-out school is different, so compare each written award with its full cost before deciding. See the current tuition and housing schedule and ask the transition team how your aid and remaining semesters will be affected.

Campus, services, and contact information

The main campus is 145 Hooper Street, San Francisco, CA 94107; CCA’s published main number is (415) 703-9500. Student Services provides in-person help at 80 Carolina Street, first floor, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; call (415) 915-2503 or email ask@cca.edu for questions about records, advising, registration, housing, and aid. The campus map includes the main building, Simpson Family Makers Building, Hooper and Irwin Pavilions, the Graduate Center at 184 Hooper, and 80 Carolina. Students and visitors should check campus access requirements and current office arrangements before traveling. CCA identifies its official social accounts as Instagram, TikTok, X, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Accreditation and student experience

WSCUC lists CCA as an accredited nonprofit institution with an active main campus in San Francisco. CCA also identifies professional accreditation for its Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture programs through the National Architectural Accrediting Board. In student reviews, some people praise the studio resources, access to equipment, creative peer community, and faculty with professional experience; other reviews describe the cost as difficult to justify and report uneven teaching or administration. Those comments vary by program and cohort, and the closure has changed the context: a prospective student should not rely on older reviews or recruitment material to infer that CCA will offer a new degree beyond Spring 2027. Current students should get their completion or transfer plan in writing. The WSCUC record and student review page provide additional reference points.