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Cleveland Institute of Art

Cleveland, OH · Private Nonprofit

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56.3%
Acceptance
1160
SAT
$55,975
Sticker Price
$24,259
Net Price*
$42,509
Earnings
12.9 yrs
Payback
963
Applicants

*Net price for families earning $48k–$75k. See all income brackets →

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What is Cleveland Institute of Art's acceptance rate?

Down 17.2 percentage points since 2018

With a 56.3% acceptance rate, Cleveland Institute of Art is considered moderately selective. The school has become increasingly competitive over the past five years. Applicants should focus on demonstrating strong academics, meaningful extracurriculars, and authentic personal essays to stand out in the applicant pool.

How many students apply to Cleveland Institute of Art?

Cleveland Institute of Art received 963 applications in 2023, down 6% since 2018. High application volume means admissions officers spend limited time per application—typically 8-15 minutes. Make every word count in your essays and ensure your application materials are error-free.

Applications
Admitted

How many admitted students enroll?

The yield rate of 23% is typical for a school of this caliber. Yield rate measures how many admitted students actually enroll—a key indicator of how desirable students find the school. Demonstrating genuine interest through campus visits, attending info sessions, and writing specific "Why Us" essays can improve your chances.

What are the most popular majors at Cleveland Institute of Art?

Design and Applied Arts leads as the most popular major at Cleveland Institute of Art. Your intended major can affect admission chances—some programs are more competitive than others. Research department-specific requirements, faculty research, and career outcomes when choosing your major. Consider how your academic interests align with the school's strengths.

How have majors changed over time?

Degrees awarded by major, 2015-2023

How has tuition changed at Cleveland Institute of Art?

Tuition has increased by 26% since 2015. Total cost of attendance (including fees and room & board) has grown 20% from $46,840 to $55,975.

Tuition Total Cost

Cleveland Institute of Art Admissions Statistics (2018-2023)

Each row shows the admissions cycle for that academic year. Applicants is the total number of students who applied for freshman admission. Admitted shows how many received acceptance letters. Rate is the acceptance rate (admitted ÷ applicants) — lower percentages indicate more selective schools. Yield measures the percentage of admitted students who actually enrolled — a high yield (above 50%) suggests the school is a top choice for admitted students, while lower yields indicate students often choose other options. SAT shows the 25th-75th percentile range, meaning the middle 50% of enrolled students scored within this range. Data is sourced from IPEDS, the federal database where all US colleges report annually.

Year Applicants Admitted Rate Yield
2023 963 542 56.3% 22.7%
2022 693 484 69.8% 31.8%
2021 932 614 65.9% 22.1%
2020 975 655 67.2% 22.8%
2019 1,138 792 69.6% 19.6%
2018 1,025 753 73.5% 23.2%
2017 957 519 54.2% 29.7%
2016 864 523 60.5% 30.0%
2015 738 479 64.9% 35.1%

Is Cleveland Institute of Art worth it?

Calculate your personal ROI

4-Year Sticker Price --
4-Year Net Cost --
Earnings & ROI Range (10yr)
Conservative (25th pct) -- --
Expected (median) -- --
Optimistic (75th pct) -- --
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Estimates based on College Scorecard averages. Use official calculator →

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What do Cleveland Institute of Art graduates earn?

Median Earnings (10 years)
$42,509
Earnings Range (10th - 90th percentile)
$7,100 $42,509 median $85,800

Earnings vary widely: the bottom 10% earn $7,100 while the top 10% earn $85,800. Your outcome depends heavily on major, career path, and individual circumstances.

Median Earnings (6 years)
$33,148
Median Debt
$27,000
6-Year Graduation Rate
67.5%

How much does Cleveland Institute of Art cost?

The total cost of attendance at Cleveland Institute of Art is approximately $55,975 per year. Remember: sticker price rarely equals actual cost. Most students receive financial aid, and net price varies significantly by family income. Use the school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate before ruling out any option based on cost alone.

Tuition
$41,490
Fees
$2,895
Room & Board
$11,590
Total Cost of Attendance
$55,975

What You'll Actually Pay

Net price represents what families actually pay after grants and scholarships. The figures above are averages—your actual cost depends on family income, assets, and the school's aid policies. Many selective private schools are more affordable than public universities for middle and lower-income families due to generous institutional aid.

$0-30k income $23,681
$30-48k income $24,660
$48-75k income $24,259
$75-110k income $25,440
$110k+ income $61,310

Which majors pay the most?

  • Medical Illustration and Informatics N/A
  • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities N/A
  • Graphic Communications N/A
  • Fine and Studio Arts N/A
  • Film/Video and Photographic Arts N/A

Who attends Cleveland Institute of Art?

Cleveland Institute of Art enrolls 566 students, with 1% from outside the United States. Women make up 72% of the student body. Campus diversity enriches the educational experience through varied perspectives and backgrounds. Consider how you'll contribute to and benefit from the campus community when crafting your application.

Total Enrollment 566
Retention Rate 86%
International 1%
Women 72%
Race/Ethnicity
White 65%
Black 13%
Hispanic 10%
Asian 3%

How much financial aid is available?

97% of students receive some form of financial aid at Cleveland Institute of Art. About 38% receive Pell Grants, indicating support for low-income students. Apply for aid regardless of your family's income level—merit scholarships and institutional grants are available to students at various income levels. Never assume you won't qualify.

Receive Grants 97%
Avg: $28,554 free money/year
Pell Grant Recipients 38%
Federal aid for <$60k income families
Have Federal Loans 81%
Avg: $6,443
School's Own Grants 100%
Avg: $26,580 from school funds

How much do professors earn?

Faculty salaries at Cleveland Institute of Art are near the national average, reflecting the school's investment in attracting and retaining talented professors. Higher faculty compensation often correlates with stronger research programs, better student mentorship, and more resources for academic departments. Look for opportunities to engage with faculty through research, office hours, and smaller seminars.

This school National avg

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