Cornish College of the Arts
The Cornish College of the Arts (CCA) is the art college of Seattle University, a private Jesuit university in Seattle, Washington, United States. Founded in 1914 by music teacher Nellie Cornish, it operated as a private art college until it was absorbed by Seattle University on June 2, 2025. The college's main campus is in the Denny Triangle portion of the South Lake Union neighborhood near downtown Seattle.
At a glance
- Acceptance rate: 62%
- Average net price: $40,062
- Undergraduate enrollment: 519
- Graduation rate (150%): 56%
- 8-year Outcome Measures award rate: 60%
- Student to faculty ratio: 6:1
- Control: Private nonprofit
- Locale: City, large
- Calendar: Semester
- City: Seattle, WA
Majors and programs
The most common programs at Cornish College of the Arts include Design and Visual Communications, Dance, Illustration.
- Design and Visual Communications (13 bachelor's) · median earnings $53,773 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
- Dance (12 bachelor's) · median earnings $34,503 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
- Illustration (12 bachelor's) · median earnings $53,773 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
- Drama and Dramatics (9 bachelor's) · median earnings $43,576 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
- Musical Theatre (8 bachelor's) · median earnings $43,576 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
- Fine (8 bachelor's) · median earnings $39,242 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
- Cinematography and Film (7 bachelor's) · median earnings $43,576 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
- Music Performance (4 bachelor's) · median earnings $18,453 1 year after graduation · median debt $26,500
- Interior Design (3 bachelor's) · median earnings $53,773 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
- Technical Theatre (3 bachelor's) · median earnings $43,576 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
Award levels offered: Bachelor's.
Cost
- In-state tuition and fees: $41,684
- Out-of-state tuition and fees: $41,684
- Books and supplies: $1,800
- On-campus room and board: $16,030
- Off-campus room and board: $16,030
- Off-campus with family: $3,300
- Typical cost of attendance: $59,514
- Sticker vs net gap: 33%
- Students receiving any aid: 100%
- Pell Grant recipients: 30%
- Federal loan recipients: 59%
- Average institutional grant: $14,092
- Average federal loan: $6,582
Admissions
Cornish College of the Arts admits 62% of applicants. Of students admitted, 19% enrolled.
- Applications: 1,249
- Admitted: 777
- Enrolled: 150
- Yield (first-choice signal): 19%
Who actually goes here
- Undergraduates: 519
- Women: 69%
- Commuter share (estimated): 27%
- Graduation rate: 56%
- Come back after freshman year: 69%
Faculty and campus
- Student to faculty: 6:1
- Professor salary: $71,741
- Associate professor salary: $67,132
- Assistant professor salary: $62,759
- On-campus housing capacity: 378
- Study abroad: Not available
- Online programs: Available
Common questions
What is the Cornish College of the Arts acceptance rate? Cornish College of the Arts admits 62% of applicants, based on the latest IPEDS admissions file.
What majors does Cornish College of the Arts offer? Popular programs include Design and Visual Communications, Dance, Illustration, Drama and Dramatics, Musical Theatre.
What is the Cornish College of the Arts graduation rate? In the IPEDS Outcome Measures cohort, 60% earned an award within eight years. The first-time, full-time 150% graduation rate is 56%.
Scorecard earnings and debt cover Title IV aid recipients, not cash-pay or private-loan students. Cornish College of the Arts official site: https://cornish.edu.