Private For-Profit Certificate Fair 54/100

California College of Music

See admissions data, costs, student outcomes, and academic programs, all verified from official US government sources.

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Pasadena, California

About California College of Music

Thinking about California College of Music, a college in California where more students graduate in Visual & Performing Arts than anything else? The four things worth knowing are what it actually costs after aid, whether you would get in, whether students finish, and what they earn after they do.

California College of Music is a private for-profit institution offering certificate degrees based in Pasadena, California. It enrolls 60 students (a very small, intimate student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Every figure on this page is reported by the federal government, not supplied by the college, so it can be compared like for like against anywhere else you are looking.

Acceptance
100%
Graduation
—
Net Price
$25,065
Median Earnings (10yr)
—
Enrollment
60
Student : Faculty
1:1

Accreditor National Association of Schools of Music
Academic Calendar Quarter

How It Measures Up

These four scores answer one question: compared with similar colleges, is this one worth the money? Each runs 0 to 100 and is judged only against its peer group (2-Year), so a community college is never marked down for not being Harvard. Everything is computed from federal data. Nobody can pay to move a score, and a pillar with missing data is left unscored rather than guessed.

Fair
54/100
UCD Score · 2-Year
Outcomes 41
Value —
Affordability 24
Selectivity —

Admissions & Acceptance Rate

California College of Music admits 100% of applicants, which makes it open to most qualified applicants, so admission is unlikely to be the hurdle.

Acceptance Rate
100%
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Test Policy Test Optional Applicants choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores.

5-Year Admission Trend

Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether California College of Music is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.

90%202169.2%202247.4%2023

Cost & Financial Aid

Ignore the sticker price. What matters is the net price, which is what a typical family pays here after grants and scholarships come off. At $25,065 a year on average, it sits in line with what private for-profit colleges charge nationally. Plan for the gap between that and what you can pay without borrowing. Figures are College Scorecard 2023-24.

The average hides a wide spread by household income, so it is worth estimating what a family at your income would actually pay before treating this as the price.

Average Net Price
$25,065
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
29%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
29%
Borrowing to attend

Full Cost Breakdown

Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.

Tuition & Fees
$21,985
Room & Board (off-campus)
$10,984
Books & Supplies
$400
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$10,144
Total Cost of Attendance
$29,374

Application fee: $100 (one-time, due at submission)

What this means: 29% of students receive Pell grants. Most cost is borne by families above Pell thresholds. Verify your individual aid offer before deciding.

Graduation Rate & Retention

27% come back after first year. A sizeable share do not return for year two. Worth asking why. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.

Completion and earnings carry the most weight in this college's score, and how the UCD Score weighs each measure sets out exactly how they are combined.

6-Year Graduation Rate
—
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
27%
Returning for their second year

Who Studies Here

Who you would actually be sitting next to: 60 students, an intimate, close-knit community. Worth knowing: 100% study part-time, so many are working alongside classes.

Total Enrolled
60
Part-Time
100%
First-Generation
—

Race & Ethnicity Breakdown

Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.

GroupShareStudents
Hispanic 90.0% 54
Black 3.3% 2
White 3.3% 2
Asian 3.3% 2
Hispanic: 90.0% (54 students)Black: 3.3% (2 students)White: 3.3% (2 students)Asian: 3.3% (2 students)Total60

Student Life & Campus Culture

Where students live, learn, and connect at California College of Music. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.

Setting
Midsize City Pasadena, California
Housing
Commuter campus No on-campus housing
Adult Learners
43% of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIA athletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Quarter scheduling structure

What You Can Study

California College of Music offers a focused set of programs: 1 distinct programs across 1 major. Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings. Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.

1 Program
  • Music $43K ($26K–$59K)

Faculty & Resources

There are 1 students for every instructor here: small classes, and staff who are likely to know your name.

Student : Faculty
1:1
Students per instructional faculty member

Pros & Cons of California College of Music

No college is right for everyone. Here is where California College of Music is likely to suit you and where it may not, based on the same figures shown above.

Read against a single profile these cut both ways, which is why it helps to put two colleges side by side on the same measures rather than judging one in isolation.

PROS
  • Accessible admissions for most applicants
  • Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
  • Tight-knit, close community feel
  • Flexible part-time enrollment options
CONS
  • Above-average net price
  • Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
  • First-year retention is below typical
  • For-profit institution, verify accreditation and outcomes carefully
  • Mostly part-time student body, less full-time campus feel
Best for: Based on the data, California College of Music is a fit for students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; working adults or students needing part-time study options; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.

Frequently Asked Questions about California College of Music

The questions families ask most about California College of Music, answered straight from the federal data rather than from the college's own marketing.

Is California College of Music hard to get into?
Not especially. California College of Music admits most qualified applicants, with an acceptance rate of 100%. Plan around cost and whether students finish, not your odds of getting in.
What is the acceptance rate at California College of Music?
100% of applicants are admitted. Most applicants who meet the basic requirements are admitted. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
How much does California College of Music cost?
Budget around $25,065 a year. That is the net price, what families typically pay once grants and scholarships come off, not the sticker price. Your own figure depends on household income, so treat this as a midpoint rather than a quote. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is California College of Music known for?
Mostly Music. Those are the fields where it awards the most degrees, which is a better guide to where the teaching strength sits than any reputation ranking. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
Is California College of Music accredited?
Yes. California College of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
How many students attend California College of Music?
60 students. Small enough that you will recognize faces across campus, and small enough that course choice can be limited. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
Is California College of Music a public or private college?
It is Private For-Profit. Private for-profit, so compare completion and earnings carefully against a public alternative.
Where is California College of Music located?
California College of Music is located in Pasadena, California.
What programs does California College of Music offer?
1 different programs, most commonly Music. If the subject you want is not among them, check the full list before applying rather than assuming it is offered.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at California College of Music?
1 students per instructor. Low enough that staff are likely to know who you are. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.

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