Laguna College of Art and Design

2222 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California

Background Image: Laguna College of Art & Design

Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) is located in the center of creative arts and technology in Southern California. Leading action sports brands, game developers, animation and entertainment studios, design firms, art galleries and museums are located within a short distance of the College's campus in Laguna Beach, CA. LCAD students benefit from connections with such industry leaders and partners as Blizzard, Disney, DreamWorks, NIKE, Sony, Pixar, STANCE, Warner Bros. and many more. These high-level connections facilitate access to key internships and employment opportunities. LCAD students receive a superb education that elevates skills and fosters the professional connections needed to succeed in today’s thriving and competitive creative industries. LCAD’s small class size and professional faculty give personalized attention to every student. This level of student/instructor interaction, feedback and input accelerates personal growth and professional preparedness. 92% of LCAD's surveyed graduates are currently working full-time, with 73% employed in their chosen fields.

DEGREES OFFERED: BFA, MFA
ACCREDITATION: NASAD, WASCUC

Hover over dots to see degrees offered and online availability.

MAJORS OFFERED:

Animation - Character Animation TrackBachelors Degree
Animation - Experimental Animation TrackBachelors Degree
Drawing + Painting with IllustrationBachelors Degree
Drawing + PaintingBachelors Degree
DrawingMasters Degree
Entertainment Design - Concept Development trackBachelors Degree
Entertainment Design - Themed Design trackBachelors Degree

 

 

Game Development - Game Art trackBachelors Degree
Game Development - Game Design trackBachelors Degree
Graphic Design + Digital Media with IllustrationBachelors Degree
Graphic Design + Digital MediaBachelors Degree
IllustrationBachelors Degree
PaintingMasters Degree

LEGEND

Certificate
Associates Degree
Bachelor's Degree

Postbaccalaureate Certificate
Low-Residency Masters
Masters Degree


Fully Online
Partially Online
Optional Online

FOUNDATION PROGRAM
Laguna College of Art and Design's extensive foundation program gives a thorough preparation for excellence in your chosen field.


This program is Residential.

UNDERGRADUATE COST OF ATTENDANCE 2025-2026
FULL-TIME  
TUITION $ 39,376
MANDATORY FEES 0
BOOKS & SUPPLIES 2,324
ON-CAMPUS ROOM & BOARD 20,343
OFF-CAMPUS ROOM & BOARD 22,752
OTHER 7,056
FINANCIAL AID 2023-2024 FULL-TIME FRESHMEN *
AID CATEGORY AVG PER RECIPIENT 1st YR RECIPIENTS
INSTITUTIONAL AWARDS3 $8,979 100%
FEDERAL/NATIONAL GRANTS 4,464 19%
STATE & LOCAL GRANTS 8,457 44%
FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS 5,062 44%

AVERAGE AMOUNT RECEIVED PER RECIPIENT: $15,282
100% OF FULL-TIME FRESHMEN RECEIVED AID

* Most recent financial aid data available

ACCEPTANCE RATE: 94%

Acceptance Rate = The percentage of students admitted out of applications received in a given year.

 
ENROLLMENT: FALL 2024

UNDERGRADUATE FTE1 = 739

UNDERGRADUATE

FULL-TIME 716
PART-TIME 59

NOTE 1: "Full-Time Equivalent" is the common way to measure the relative size of colleges. This adjusts for differences in the percentage of part-time students (or faculty). For example: one full-time student = 1 FTE; three half-time students = 1.5 FTE, etc.

UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
APPLICATION: N/A
ONLINE APPLICATION: Required
APPLICATION FEES: $0 (approximate)
HOME EXAM: Not Required
INTERVIEW: Not Required
ESSAY: Required
SAT / ACT: N/A
PORTFOLIO: Required
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: Required, depending on program (3)
IELTS: Required if English is a second language
Minimum score 6
TOEFL: Required if English is a second language
Minimum score 79

TRANSCRIPTS

HIGH SCHOOL: Required
COLLEGE: Required, if transferring
FACULTY: 2024-2025

FACULTY FTE1 = 87

FULL-TIME 20
PART-TIME 138
 

STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: FALL 2024
8.5 TO 1
FTE STUDENTS PER FTE FACULTY1

RETENTION

FRESHMAN RETENTION

FALL 2022 FRESHMEN
RETURNING IN FALL 2023
84%
 
FALL 2023 FRESHMEN
RETURNING IN FALL 2024
84%
GRADUATION

SIX-YEAR GRADUATION RATE

FALL 2017 FRESHMEN
GRADUATING WITHIN SIX YEARS
 
68%
 
FALL 2018 FRESHMEN
GRADUATING WITHIN SIX YEARS
 
61%

UNDERGRADUATE ETHNICITY

FALL 2024

UNDERGRADUATE GENDER DISTRIBUTION

FALL 2024

NEW STUDENT GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION2

FALL 2024
OTHER PROGRAMS

Post Baccalaureate Certificate
Weekend Classes
Summer Session
High School Pre-College Summer Program
Post-Baccalaureate in Drawing & Painting
Cooperative Program and Credit Transfer with the Florence Academy of Art, Italy and the NHTC Breda University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES

Summer European Tour Program
Internships
Career Services Office
Housing Office

NOTE 1: "Full-Time Equivalent" is the common way to measure the relative size of colleges. This adjusts for differences in the percentage of part-time students (or faculty). For example: one full-time student = 1 FTE; three half-time students = 1.5 FTE, etc. NOTE 2: Geographic distribution is reported for first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates. NOTE 3: Includes all institutional scholarships and grants, but does not include College Work Study or third party awards.