QUICK ANSWER
ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena differs from most U.S. art schools in two ways that matter before you apply. It charges by term and runs year-round: 2026–27 tuition is $28,681 per term, with a cost of attendance of $91,132. And its portfolio rules change by major: Transportation and Product Design ask for 3–5 projects, Illustration for 20–25 pieces including 8–12 live-model drawings, and eight majors require a 60–90 second video essay.
Admission is also offered in more than one term, with Early Action on November 15 and priority deadlines of February 1 for fall and October 1 for spring.
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Application Rules That Vary by Major
| Major or group | Portfolio requirement |
|---|---|
| Transportation Design, Product Design | 3–5 projects |
| Illustration | 20–25 pieces, including 8–12 live-model drawings |
| Eight majors | A 60–90 second video essay in addition to the portfolio |
| Other majors | Check the major’s own page for counts and content |
From ArtCenter’s undergraduate admission pages, checked October 2026.
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Dates, English and Cost
| Item | ArtCenter |
|---|---|
| Early Action | November 15 |
| Fall priority deadline | February 1 |
| Spring priority deadline | October 1 |
| English | TOEFL band 4 (new scale), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 115 |
| Tuition, 2026–27 | $28,681 per term |
| Cost of attendance, 2026–27 | $91,132 |
From ArtCenter admissions and Student Accounts pages, 2026–27.
Because ArtCenter quotes tuition per term, compare it with other schools using the cost of attendance, not the term figure. A per-term price looks smaller than an annual one.
FOR KOREAN STUDENTS
The biggest risk at ArtCenter is preparing a general art-school portfolio for a major that wants something specific. A transportation design applicant needs a few deep projects, not twenty drawings; an illustration applicant needs live-model drawing. Read the major page first. Our Korean guide to ArtCenter admissions and our comparison of ArtCenter and RISD go further.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does ArtCenter cost?
Tuition is $28,681 per term for 2026–27, and the cost of attendance is $91,132.
How many projects does Transportation Design want?
3–5 projects. Product Design asks for the same range.
Does ArtCenter require a video essay?
Eight majors require a 60–90 second video essay; check your major’s page.
What English score does ArtCenter accept?
TOEFL band 4 on the new scale, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 115.
When are ArtCenter’s deadlines?
Early Action November 15; priority deadlines February 1 for fall and October 1 for spring.
ROYAL BLUE ART & DESIGN
For 19 years we have prepared Korean students for U.S. art schools from our studio in Apgujeong, Seoul. Our public record lists 1,099 acceptances confirmed directly with students at 95 schools. We build ArtCenter portfolios to each major’s rules. Call 02-3446-5929 or book a consultation.
From ArtCenter undergraduate admission, major and Student Accounts pages (2026–27). Checked October 2026. If something here has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
Related reading: ArtCenter Guide (Korean) · ArtCenter vs RISD · LCAD vs ArtCenter · Debt and Art School · Royal Blue Results