College Search

Northwest College of Art & Design

Tacoma, WA · City · 139 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$16,418
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
48%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
63% typical
$31,167
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$39,254 typical
66%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
About

Northwest College of Art & Design (NCAD) in Tacoma, Washington, is a career-focused visual arts institution best known for its hands-on Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication, featuring specialized concentrations in entertainment art, illustration, animation, and graphic design. The college sets itself apart with a practical, industry-aligned curriculum that allows students to pursue dual concentrations, tailored to prepare graduates for interdisciplinary roles in the Pacific Northwest’s thriving digital media and gaming sectors. The student experience is defined by a close-knit, studio-intensive environment where emerging artists work alongside industry-experienced faculty in small, highly focused classes.


Wikipedia:Northwest College of Art & Design (NCAD) is a private for-profit college in Tacoma, Washington that focuses on the visual arts. The college offer the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Student enrollment is usually "under 125" in a given academic year. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

Location
Tacoma, WA, 98402 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
SEA · Seattle
15 mi away
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$18,100
Books & supplies$800
Cost of attendance$30,038
Average net price$16,418
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$18,100
Books & supplies$800
Cost of attendance$30,038
Average net price$16,418
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$12,977
$30–48k
$11,857
$48–75k
$17,146
$75–110k
$24,031
$110k+
$29,101
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
48%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
46%
Back for yr 2
77%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
47% graduated · 53% left or unknown · none transferred or still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$27,505
10 yrs after entry$31,167
Debt
Median at graduation$30,750
Monthly payment$326
Middle 50% owe$18.4k–$32.3k
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
66%
Test policy
Not required
Per College Scorecard

Wondering if Northwest College of Art & Design is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Essay prompts

If Northwest College of Art & Design asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 32%Women 68%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
34 : 1
Pell grant
51%
Family income
$49,729
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
4%
Race & ethnicity
White
58%
Hispanic
19%
Black
10%
Asian
4%
AI/AN
6%
NH/PI
1%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports

No data. This school isn't in the U.S. Department of Education's athletics (EADA) file, so we can't list its teams. That doesn't mean it has none.

Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$27,505
After 10 yrs
$31,167
Design and Applied Arts17
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Teaching spend
$3,861
per student
Federal loans
48%
Classification
Carnegie type
Special focus — arts, music & design
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if Northwest College of Art & Design is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search