Campus Vibe
Close-knit campus
Columbus College of Art & Design is a private urban institution in Columbus, Ohio. The school is accessible to a wide range of students.
A small campus of 891 undergraduates with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
61% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $40,664 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $30,139.
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Columbus College of Art & Design Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
31.4%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$20,500
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
7
Peer Average
3
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus security, emergency notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Programs (7)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
73%
- •73% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
History & Fun Facts
- •History Early history: 1879–1930 First graduating class at CCAD CCAD was founded in 1879 as the Columbus Art School.
- •The idea for the school started in 1878, when a group of women formed the Columbus Art Association.
- •The first day of classes was January 6, 1879, on the top floor of the Sessions Building at Long and High.
- •Use of that floor had been donated by Francis Sessions, an art-minded banker and entrepreneur, and one of the first trustees of the Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts.
- •In 1885, the school moved to the Tuller Building at Gay and Fourth St due to the poor ventilation and vapors rising from the Troy Steam Laundry on the floors below the school in the Sessions Block.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Transit Scores
Local Economy
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Visit Planning
Suggested Itinerary
Nearby Hotels
Airport Transit
Schools Like This
Heidelberg University
Tiffin, OH · Town · Private
Malone University
Canton, OH · Urban · Private
Lourdes University
Sylvania, OH · Suburban · Private
Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH · Suburban · Private