Cleveland, OH · Private · 539 undergraduates · urban
Cleveland Institute of Art
Moderately selective
A focused BFA education embedded in Cleveland's University Circle cultural district.
Institutional profile
Established Solid in academic standing, and solid in student experience.- Admission
- 56.3% admitted
- Price by income
- Varies across five income ranges
- Completion
- 65.3%
963 applicants in the reported year
Compare recent average annual costs by household income
$42,509 median earnings 10 years after enrollment
What sets Cleveland Institute of Art apart
Academic design
The curriculum begins with foundational art and design work and moves into majors such as illustration, animation, industrial design, game design, painting, photography, and related studio fields.
Campus pattern
Students work in a compact urban arts campus surrounded by major Cleveland cultural institutions, with much of daily life organized around studios, critiques, exhibitions, and production facilities.
Defining feature
A focused BFA education embedded in Cleveland's University Circle cultural district.
Can I get in?
56.3% admitted
BFA applicants are expected to submit a portfolio as a central part of the admission review.
Recent applicant pool
963About 56 in every 100 applicants were admitted.
Academic range
In the season card
Where your GPA sits in the entering class
The full entering-class GPA distribution for Cleveland Institute of Art, in nine bands from 4.0 down, with your own record marked on it.
See where I landIn the season card
What Cleveland Institute of Art weighs when it reads a file
See how this college describes the role of grades, testing, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest.
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Test scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurriculars
- Demonstrated interest
What moves the application
The evidence that separates a strong file
Show preparation for this curriculum
The curriculum begins with foundational art and design work and moves into majors such as illustration, animation, industrial design, game design, painting, photography, and related studio fields.
Make the fit specific
A focused BFA education embedded in Cleveland's University Circle cultural district.
Account for the tradeoff
BFA applicants are expected to submit a portfolio as a central part of the admission review.
How to apply
Rounds, route, and required materials
BFA applicants are expected to submit a portfolio as a central part of the admission review.
No application fee recorded
Can I afford it?
Compare annual cost by household income.
Start with the average net price for your income range, then set that estimate beside your other realistic options.
In the season card
Average annual cost by household income at Cleveland Institute of Art
Compare recent average net prices across five federal income ranges and estimate a 4-year cost for yours.
- $0–30k
- $30–48k
- $48–75k
- $75–110k
- $110k+
Is it worth it?
Completion, debt, and earnings
A focused BFA education embedded in Cleveland's University Circle cultural district.
Degree completion across the reported entering cohort
First-year students who return for year two
And what that comes to against what they earn.
Reported 10 years after enrollment
What is campus life like?
Cleveland Institute of Art beyond the classroom
Students work in a compact urban arts campus surrounded by major Cleveland cultural institutions, with much of daily life organized around studios, critiques, exhibitions, and production facilities.
A defining academic feature
The curriculum begins with foundational art and design work and moves into majors such as illustration, animation, industrial design, game design, painting, photography, and related studio fields.
What shapes an ordinary week
Students work in a compact urban arts campus surrounded by major Cleveland cultural institutions, with much of daily life organized around studios, critiques, exhibitions, and production facilities.
What changes the experience
A focused BFA education embedded in Cleveland's University Circle cultural district.