Cleveland Institute of Art is one of the nation's leading accredited independent colleges of art and design. Offering 15 majors in fine art, craft, design and digital arts, the college has been an educational cornerstone in Ohio since 1882, producing graduates who are leaders in their disciplines as studio artists, designers, photographers, contemporary craftspersons, entrepreneurs, and educators.
About
From the School
Contact & Visit
Campus Visits Contact
Contact
Arlene Thomas
Admissions Office
Admissions Office
Address
11610 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106
Cleveland, OH 44106
Phone
216-421-7418
Email
admissions@cia.edu
Experience College Life
Most Popular Places On Campus
University Coffee Shop
Frank Gehry and Peter B. Lewis Building
Live music at Barking Spider
Cleveland Museum of Art
Reinberger Galleries
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Cleveland
Frank Gehry and Peter B. Lewis Building
Live music at Barking Spider
Cleveland Museum of Art
Reinberger Galleries
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Cleveland
Most Popular Places Off Campus
Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Cleveland Botanical Gardens
Crawford Auto Museum
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland Institute of Music Gund School of Law Cleveland Clinic Severence Hall (home of the Cleveland Orchestra) Coventry Shopping District/Neighborhood Rock and Roll Hall of Fame House of Blues Browns/Indians Stadium CAVS/Arena Legacy Village Shopping Center Nottingham Spirk Design Firm Playhouse Square East 4th Corneralley CIA is located in the University Circle area of Cleveland. The nation's most concentrated cultural district after NYC.
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Cleveland Botanical Gardens
Crawford Auto Museum
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland Institute of Music Gund School of Law Cleveland Clinic Severence Hall (home of the Cleveland Orchestra) Coventry Shopping District/Neighborhood Rock and Roll Hall of Fame House of Blues Browns/Indians Stadium CAVS/Arena Legacy Village Shopping Center Nottingham Spirk Design Firm Playhouse Square East 4th Corneralley CIA is located in the University Circle area of Cleveland. The nation's most concentrated cultural district after NYC.
Campus Tours
Campus Visiting Center
Mon-Fri
8:30am-4:30pm
216-421-7418
8:30am-4:30pm
216-421-7418
Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: Varies
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: Varies
On Campus Interview
Campus Interviews
Yes
Information Sessions
Not Available
Times
Faculty and Coach Visits
Dates/Times Available
Year-round
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Advance Notice
Other
Contact Email Address for Visit
codom@cia.edu
Class Visits
Dates/Times Available
Varies
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Overnight Dorm Stays
Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Transportation
Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Closest airport - Cleveland Hopkins
Taxis and shuttles available from airport
Buses and rapid transit available from downtown to campus
Driving Instructions to Campus
From Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport take I-71 North to I-90 East. Follow the directions from I-90 East and West. Or take the RTA Red Line Rapid Transit to University Circle stop. Take a free University Circle LINK bus to the Institute of Art. A taxi from the airport is also an option. It will cost approximately $60.
From downtown Cleveland follow Chester Avenue east for three miles to University Circle. Turn left on Euclid Avenue. Turn left on East Boulevard.
Local Accommodations
The Glidden House
The Intercontinental Hotel
Marriott Hotel
Save SchoolAdmissions
Admissions
Overall
From The School
To be considered for admission, you must follow the application procedures and criteria below.
- Complete the application online at cia.edu/apply
- Submit the $40 application fee (fee is waived if you apply online). Make checks payable to the Cleveland Institute of Art.
- Arrange to have your high school transcripts sent to the Office of Admissions. If you have successfully completed 24 college credits and attended a regionally accredited college or university full time for a year or more, have your college transcripts sent instead.
- Have one letter of recommendation completed on your behalf. We suggest this be from an art teacher. We also will accept this letter from a counselor or someone who understands your desire to pursue an arts education.
- Optional: Request SAT or ACT test results be sent to CIA. Our school numbers are: SAT: 1152 and ACT: 3243. International students whose first language is not English must submit the TOEFL with a minimum score of 60 IBT (Internet-based test). We also accept a band score of at least 6.0 on the IELTS or completion of Level 112 of ESL coursework.
- Submit your portfolio of artwork. All work can be submitted via our online application (go.cia.edu). Your portfolio should consist of no fewer than 12 and no more than 20 pieces of work. Please carefully follow all our portfolio guidelines.
Application materials should be submitted online. Our mailing address, if paper-based materials need to be forwarded is: Cleveland Institute of Art, Office of Admissions, 11610 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland OH 44106.
Applications can be submitted at any time before the first day of classes and will be considered as long as space is available. However, candidates are encouraged to follow application deadlines to ensure eligibility for merit scholarships and institutional financial aid. Dates and deadlines can be viewed online.
Applications are welcome from all qualified students. The admissions committee bases its decisions on a careful review of all credentials submitted by the applicant. Acceptance decisions are made without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, marital status, age, ethnic or national origin, religion, creed, veteran status, or physical or mental disability in accordance with federal, state, and local laws.
Visit cia.edu/admissions for more info.
Overview
Applicants: 1,025
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average HS GPA: 3.39
GPA Breakdown
36%
Over 3.75
9%
3.50 - 3.74
11%
3.25 - 3.49
15%
3.00 - 3.24
16%
2.50 - 2.99
13%
2.00 - 2.49
Need to boost your grades? We can help.
Learn MoreSAT & ACT Test Scores
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th-75th percentile
(enrolled students)
(enrolled students)
550 - 640
SAT Math
25th-75th percentile
(enrolled students)
(enrolled students)
510 - 590
ACT Composite Scores
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
19 - 25
Testing Policies
Yes
Yes
ACT Writing Policy
ACT with or without Writing accepted
SAT Essay Policy
SAT with or without Writing accepted
Deadlines
Early Action — December 1
Other Admission Factors
Non-Academic
Talent / Ability
Selectivity Rating
Get a personalized plan for a competitive application from an admissions expert.
Learn MoreAcademics
Academics
Overall
From The School
Academic Programs
At CIA, we've made an academic commitment to prepare students for a creative career by engaging them in community-based learning, real-world projects, and social practices. Through a selection of field-based courses, our students graduate with real-world experience working on real-world projects. From our early relationships with the auto industry, to relationships today with NASA, students across all of our disciplines are learning the skills necessary to be successful in the 21st century. Whether you're a performance artist or a product designer, you'll learn to use your creativity to collaborate, communicate your ideas, and solve problems to make work that makes a difference in the world.
Majors and Degrees Offered
Cleveland Institute of Art offers 17 programs in art, design, craft, and digital media. After a foundation year developing strong skills in drawing, design and problem-solving, you'll enter your major spending three intense years building skills and mastering techniques. CIA faculty will encourage you to develop a wider perspective by experimenting with media outside your major through interdisciplinary study.
Faculty and Class Information
Student/Faculty
8.22:1
Total Faculty
121
with Terminal Degree
64
66
Women
55
Men
11
Minority
Most frequent class size
10 - 19
Most frequent lab / sub section size
2 - 9
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
59%
Graduate in 5 years
63%
Graduate in 6 years
64%
Majors
-
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES/TECHNICIANS AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects.
-
HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Medical Illustration/Medical Illustrator.
-
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Ceramic Arts and Ceramics.
Drawing.
Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other.
Game and Interactive Media Design.
Graphic Design.
Illustration.
Industrial and Product Design.
Interior Design.
Metal and Jewelry Arts.
Painting.
Photography.
Printmaking.
Sculpture.
Students Say
If you dream of “becoming a more thoughtful and skillful artist or designer,” you’ll find a good match at Cleveland Institute of Art, a tiny urban school with more than 100 years in operation. Students come to CIA for its “wonderful art programs” and reputed design departments, but also note that there is “flexibility in exploring other fields of study while pursuing a focused major.” Academically, liberal arts are emphasized, especially in the first year, and even fine art majors are expected to take “academic courses and a lot of art history.” Across all nineteen major disciplines, students “learn through hands-on experience, experimentation, and self exploration,” and they are expected to put serious time into their creative projects. A signature of the program is the “availability of personal studio space” for undergraduates—every student gets their own private workspace after the first year. In terms of classroom experience, “professors vary widely,” but most are “actual working professionals” who are capable of “teaching you skills to apply to life after graduation, no matter which route you choose to take.” With just 500 undergraduates, “The student to faculty ratio is surprisingly low, which allows for a large amount of input from staff.” In the classroom or during critiques, “Discussion is always encouraged.”
Degrees
Bachelor's
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Opportunities at School
Experiential
Internship
Notable Faculty
Prominent Alumni
Marc Brown
Illustrator - Creator of
Viktor Schreckengost
Designer/Fine Artist
Dana Schutz
Painter/Gallery Artist
Derek Hess
Illustrator-Poster, CD Cover Designer
Eric Stoddard
Industrial Designer
George Bowes
Ceramacist
David Deming
CIA President Emeritus/Sculptor
Careers
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
59%
Graduate in 5 years
63%
Graduate in 6 years
64%
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Opportunities at School
Experiential
Internship
ROI & Outcomes
Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Overview
From The School
Tuition, Room, Board and Fees
Estimated 2019-20 full-time tuition is US$41,490. Estimated fees are $2,895. Estimated housing for incoming first-year students is $8,940 for our apartment-style residence halls, and $2,650 for meal plan.
Financial Aid
Cleveland Institute of Art offers merit and need-based financial aid, as well as federal and state financial aid. 95% of students enrolled in 2019-20 received scholarships. Average financial aid package for 2017-18 was $39,0028
CIA's Financial aid officers work with students to craft a personalized financial aid package that combines merit and need-based scholarships, federal loans and grants, scholarships, loans, and work study programs.
Dates
Application Deadlines
Notification Date
Dec 15
Required Forms
FAFSA
Financial Aid Statistics
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$24,252
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$23,681
Average Need-Based Loan
$4,150
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program
79%
Average amount of loan debt per graduate
$31,270
Average amount of each freshman scholarship/grant package
$24,363
Financial aid provided to international students
Yes
Expenses per Academic Year
Tuition
$40,480
Required Fees
$2,825
Average Cost for Books and Supplies
$2,200
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
Board for Commuters
$1,960
Transportation for Commuters
$2,050
Available Aid
Financial Aid Methodology
Federal
Scholarships and Grants
Need-Based
Academic Merit-based scholarships from CIA funds
Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Other
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Non-Need-Based
Institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid is available
Federal Direct Student Loan Programs
Direct PLUS Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL)
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
Yes
Direct Lender
No
Student Body
Student Body
Overall
From The School
With approximately 650 students from around the country and the world, CIA offers a personal educational experience with the benefits of a larger institution. Surrounded by creative-minded friends and mentors, CIA students find inspiration inside and outside of the studio. Students also experience a community full of cultural energy, ethnic neighborhoods, and a vibrant downtown, all accessible by public transportation.
When not in the studio, CIA students can enjoy organized activities, annual campus traditions, and various student groups that specialize in topics from academics to religion. Some favorite traditions include late-night breakfasts during finals, the wildly creative Halloween costume party, and the year-end school-wide picnic. Numerous clubs, based on disciplines (printmaking, game design) to interests (LGBTQ, Christian fellowship) offer students opportunities to share experiences, look new skills, and meet leaders in their communities.
Student Body Profile
Total Undergraduate Enrollment
670
Foreign Countries Represented
8
Demographics
3.19%
Asian
10.94%
African-American
7.75%
Hispanic
67.48%
Caucasian
5.62%
International
65% female
35% male
32% are out of state
97% are full time
3% are part time
Students Say
Within CIA’s “eclectic” student body, you’ll find “diversity in terms of personalities and interests,” from “geeky” animation designers to “smart dressers” in the industrial design program to the stereotypical “hipster” in the painting studio. Appearances aside, CIA students are generally “friendly, outspoken, and imaginative,” united by a “strong drive and enthusiasm towards their work.” A student elaborates, “The common denominator is an interest in art, but the student body varies so much I couldn’t even begin to describe a typical student.” With a lot of social diversity, “Birds of a feather flock together” at CIA, and “Each department is like a clique.” At the same time, “Most students here are open to each others opinions,” and are usually “very accepting and eager to help you grow as an artist and as a person.”
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
From The School
Location
CIA is located in Cleveland's University Circle, home of the world-renowned Cleveland Museum of Art, Severance Hall, home of the Cleveland Orchestra, as well as spaces for contemporary art, dance, and performance. One of the most culturally dense square miles anywhere in the United States, University Circle was named by Forbes Magazine as one of the most beautiful communities in the country. University Circle is also home to Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Institute of Music, with a combined enrollment of 11,000 students, offering CIA students the experience of a traditional college campus, and the personal attention of a boutique college.
Campus Facilities & Equipment
Cleveland Institute of Art's contemporary campus provides students with spaces designed specifically for studying, living, and exhibiting art and design. It's four-story atrium floods the building with natural light, perfect for creating and studying. Our fabrication studios and computer labs have the latest in traditional and new technologies to allow students to execute what they imagine. Students in their majors receive studio spaces that model what life after college will be like, from skylit factory spaces for painters to collaborative design studios.
CIA's campus is home to the Reinberger Gallery, presenting exhibitions of contemporary artists from across the country; the Peter B. Lewis Theater, home of CIA's nationally acclaimed Cinematheque film program; the Jessica R. Gund Memorial Library, which has collections specifically developed for the visual artist and designer; the Stone Flower Cafe; and CIA's Fabrication Studios, offering tools and training in wood, plastic, metal, stone, clay and digital print production.
First and second-year students live on campus in CIA-owned housing. First-year students live in our Uptown Residence Hall, which opened in 2014. Designed in consultation with students, these two-bedroom suites house two students per bedroom, each with their own bath. Bedrooms are connected by a common work area and kitchenette. Second-year students reside in our new upperclass residence hall, featuring four-person suites with individual bedrooms. Both residence halls offer workout spaces, on-site printing, and free laundry.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Cleveland's many diverse neighborhoods are just minutes from our campus via public transportation, where you can sample the city's best restaurants, take in a concert or comedy show, explore its galleries, take art walks, and visit Cleveland's beaches and lush parks. If you're a sports fan, plan on cheering on the Cleveland Indians, Cavaliers, or Browns at their downtown venues.
Campus Life
Undergrads living on campus
48%
Help finding off-campus housing
Yes
First-Year Students living on campus
71%
Campus Environment
Large Urban
95/99
Housing Options
Apartment Single
Disabled Student
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
Frat Sorority
Wellness Housing
Frat Sorority
Wellness Housing
Students Say
There are no sports teams, no Greek organizations, and no student clubs at CIA. Art and design are the number one priority for this school’s serious undergraduates, who spend as much time in the studio as they do eating, sleeping, or socializing. A student describes the typical routine like so: “You wake up, go to class, go to the studios, go home to sleep, and then wake up and start again.” In fact, many students are “used to staying up all night some nights to go the extra mile and get work done.” When they do find a spare moment, “There are some great places on the West Side of Cleveland, and there are usually events or parties going on somewhere.” As one student explains, “We all work pretty hard, so plenty of us don’t feel guilty about taking some time to party.” In addition to the party scene, you’ll find CIA students at the movies, at museums, and at “gallery openings almost every weekend” in Cleveland.
Special Needs Admissions
Program / Service Name
LD Orientation
Type of Program
For all students with disabilities
Director
Jill Milenski
College Entrance Tests Required
No
Interview Required
No
Documentation Required for LD
In accordance with guidelines established by the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), the documentation provided should include the following: • A clear, specific diagnosis • Credentials of the licensed professional providing the diagnosis (who has no personal relationship with the individual being evaluated) • An explanation of the current manifestations or functional limitations of the disability • A description of current and past accommodations, services and/or medications and their effects • Recommendations for accommodations or support services that relate directly to the current functional impact of the disability. All documentation must be submitted on official letterhead of the professional/service provider describing the disability. CIA accepts (i) Individual Education Plans (IEP) and/or 504 plans from secondary and elementary schools along with (ii) a multi-factored psychoeducational assessment (MFE) or Evaluation Team Report (ETR) completed by a psychologist or school psychologist. Either type of document is acceptable, but both are preferred. In cases where students were not assessed by their school personnel, psycho-educational assessments from a private psychologist and/or medical evaluations or reports are also acceptable. Please note that individual “learning styles,” “academic problems,” and “test difficulty or anxiety,” in and of themselves, do not constitute a learning disability. Students may be asked to provide additional information if the submitted documentation is incomplete or does not support the request for accommodations. Students should keep a copy of the documentation for their personal records. Students who do not have documentation are encouraged to meet with the LSS staff to explore options for support. LSS destroys documentation and other disability-related information seven years after students leave CIA. ACCOMMODATIONS Students with qualifying documented learning disabilities are eligible, on a case-by-case basis, to the following: • Faculty notification of general learning disability • Extended testing time • Oral / scribed exams • Notetaking assistance • Audio books through Learning Ally via iPAD or PC • Assistive technology (available both in the Writing + Learning Center and on individualized iPads given to incoming students): • Text-to speech software http://synapseadaptive.com/wynn/wynn.htm • Voice recognition software • http://dragonvoicerecognition.com • Brain-mapping software http://www.inspiration.com • Audiobooks http://learningally.com Students with specific medical or mobility-related issues can receive preferential scheduling and/or seating, as well as specific in-class accommodations arranged with individual professors based on medical necessity. CIA also has a Writing + Learning Center. This facility is available to all CIA students who need assistance with writing. It also serves as the main hub for specialized software for students with documented learning disabilities.Documentation Required for ADHD
In accordance with guidelines established by the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), the documentation provided should include the following: • A clear, specific diagnosis • Credentials of the licensed professional providing the diagnosis (who has no personal relationship with the individual being evaluated) • An explanation of the current manifestations or functional limitations of the disability • A description of current and past accommodations, services and/or medications and their effects • Recommendations for accommodations or support services that relate directly to the current functional impact of the disability. All documentation must be submitted on official letterhead of the professional/service provider describing the disability. CIA accepts (i) Individual Education Plans (IEP) and/or 504 plans from secondary and elementary schools along with (ii) a multi-factored psychoeducational assessment (MFE) or Evaluation Team Report (ETR) completed by a psychologist or school psychologist. Either type of document is acceptable, but both are preferred. In cases where students were not assessed by their school personnel, psycho-educational assessments from a private psychologist and/or medical evaluations or reports are also acceptable. Please note that individual “learning styles,” “academic problems,” and “test difficulty or anxiety,” in and of themselves, do not constitute a learning disability. Students may be asked to provide additional information if the submitted documentation is incomplete or does not support the request for accommodations. Students should keep a copy of the documentation for their personal records. Students who do not have documentation are encouraged to meet with the LSS staff to explore options for support. LSS destroys documentation and other disability-related information seven years after students leave CIA. ACCOMMODATIONS Students with qualifying documented learning disabilities are eligible, on a case-by-case basis, to the following: • Faculty notification of general learning disability • Extended testing time • Oral / scribed exams • Notetaking assistance • Audio books through Learning Ally via iPAD or PC • Assistive technology (available both in the Writing + Learning Center and on individualized iPads given to incoming students): • Text-to speech software http://synapseadaptive.com/wynn/wynn.htm • Voice recognition software • http://dragonvoicerecognition.com • Brain-mapping software http://www.inspiration.com • Audiobooks http://learningally.com Students with specific medical or mobility-related issues can receive preferential scheduling and/or seating, as well as specific in-class accommodations arranged with individual professors based on medical necessity. CIA also has a Writing + Learning Center. This facility is available to all CIA students who need assistance with writing. It also serves as the main hub for specialized software for students with documented learning disabilities.Special Need Services Offered
Calculator allowed in exams
2
Dictionary allowed in exams
2
Computer allowed in exams
Yes
Spellchecker allowed in exams
Yes
Extended test time
Yes
Scribes
Yes
Proctors
Yes
Oral exams
Yes
Notetakers
Yes
Distraction-free environment
Yes
Accommodation for students with ADHD
Yes
Reading machine
Yes
Other assistive technology
Yes
Student Activities
Registered Student Organizations
7
Number of Honor Societies
0
Number of Social Sororities
7
Number of Religious Organizations
2
1% join a sorority
Sports
Athletic Division
Other
Student Services
Health
Womens Center
LGBT Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: John Carroll University
Navy ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: The Ohio State University
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Kent State University
Womens Center
LGBT Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: John Carroll University
Navy ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: The Ohio State University
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Kent State University
Sustainability
69/99
Campus Security Report
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: http://ope.ed.gov/security
Other Information
Campus-wide Internet Network
Yes
% of Classrooms with Wireless Internet
100
Fee for Network Use
Yes
Partnerships with Technology Companies
Yes
Personal computer included in tuition for each student
No
Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
Yes
Description
Dell through STA (Strategic Tech Alliance)
Apple
GovConnection for other brands
