College for Creative Studies is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Detroit, Michigan. It enrolls 1,230 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Fair
53/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes69
Value3
Affordability26
Selectivity16
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 91.9%, College for Creative Studies is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
91.9%
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Test PolicyTest OptionalApplicants 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 College for Creative Studies is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
49.0 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending College for Creative Studies isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $34,617 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$34,617
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
30%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
52%
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
$53,350
Room & Board (on-campus)
$15,272
Room & Board (off-campus)
$13,539
Books & Supplies
$2,144
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$3,381
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$3,381
Total Cost of Attendance
$66,014
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$30,267
$30,001 – $48,000
$33,152
$48,001 – $75,000
$33,647
$75,001 – $110,000
$33,667
Over $110,000
$38,580
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$4,50010%percentile
$8,75025%percentile
$26,000Medianpercentile
$29,75075%percentile
$40,75090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $20,000
↓ $6,000
No Pell $16,996
↓ $9,004
Dependent students $19,500
↓ $6,500
Independent students $14,250
↓ $11,750
Female students $18,000
↓ $8,000
Male students $20,000
↓ $6,000
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,000, less than completers ($26,000), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
63% of full-time students who enrolled at College for Creative Studies graduate within six years, and 79% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
63%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
79%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered College for Creative Studies earn a median of $44,860 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$44,860
Earning > $25K
64%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$41,800
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$55,600
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$46,400
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$51,000
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$52,600
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $13,800, about 25% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
14.4 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Strong. 79% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.
Who Studies Here
College for Creative Studies is home to 1,230 students, a small, close-knit community.
Total Enrolled
1,230
Part-Time
11%
First-Generation
23%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 50.5%621
Black 12.8%157
International 7.5%92
Other 6.3%78
Hispanic 5.9%72
Asian 5.1%63
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at College for Creative Studies. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large CityDetroit, Michigan
Housing
Mostly residential626 beds on campus
Adult Learners
10%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
College for Creative Studies offers
a varied set of programs:
11 distinct programs across
5 majors.
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.
The student-to-faculty ratio at College for Creative Studies is 10:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).
Student : Faculty
10:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$224M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$96,152
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
54 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
10
19%
$107,360
Associate Professors
22
41%
$106,190
Assistant Professors
16
30%
$85,652
Instructors
4
7%
$72,000
Lecturers
2
4%
$62,000
Pros & Cons of College for Creative Studies
A quick at-a-glance summary of how College for Creative Studies tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Tight-knit, close community feel
CONS
Above-average net price
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
High published cost of attendance before aid
Narrow program catalog compared to mid-sized peers
Best for:
Based on the data, College for Creative Studies is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about College for Creative Studies
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about College for Creative Studies.
Is College for Creative Studies hard to get into?
College for Creative Studies has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 91.9%.
What is the acceptance rate at College for Creative Studies?
College for Creative Studies has an acceptance rate of 91.9%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does College for Creative Studies cost?
The average net price after aid at College for Creative Studies is $34,617 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is College for Creative Studies worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $44,860 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $34,617 per year. That's roughly 1.3x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is College for Creative Studies known for?
College for Creative Studies is best known for its programs in Design, Drafting/Design Engineering Tech, Graphic Communications. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do College for Creative Studies graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering College for Creative Studies are $44,860, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is College for Creative Studies accredited?
Yes. College for Creative Studies is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend College for Creative Studies?
College for Creative Studies enrolls 1,230 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at College for Creative Studies?
College for Creative Studies graduates 63% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is College for Creative Studies a public or private college?
College for Creative Studies is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is College for Creative Studies located?
College for Creative Studies is located in Detroit, Michigan.
What programs does College for Creative Studies offer?
College for Creative Studies offers 11 distinct programs. The most popular include Design, Drafting/Design Engineering Tech, Graphic Communications.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at College for Creative Studies?
The student-to-faculty ratio at College for Creative Studies is 10:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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