Organizer Information
College for Creative Studies (CCS) is a private, nonprofit art and design college in Detroit, Michigan, offering associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. Its academic offerings span art, design, film, photography, media, business for creative industries, and related interdisciplinary fields. CCS is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: College for Creative Studies
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate
- Degrees Offered: BA, BDes, BFA, MA, MFA, MPS
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts / Film / Photography / Design / Media / Animation / Illustration / Art Education / Art & Design / Creative Industries
- Relevant Programs: Film; Photography; Animation; Illustration; Studio Art & Craft; Communication Design & Strategy; Concept Design; Interdisciplinary Art + Design; Interdisciplinary Design & Media; Product Design; Transportation Design; Interior Design; Fashion Design; Color & Materials Design; Design for Sustainability; User Experience Design; Business for Creative Industries, among others.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Undergraduate applications open 1 August; graduate applications are accepted for the published admissions cycle
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate: 1 December Early Action; 1 February Regular Decision; 1 April rolling deadline. Graduate: 15 January priority; 15 February general; 1 April international deadline.
- Start of Studies: Fall and Winter undergraduate starts; graduate programs begin with the applicable academic year
- Application Fee: Undergraduate CCS application: free; portfolio submission through SlideRoom: $10 where required. Graduate: $18 non-refundable application fee where applicable.
- Tuition: Undergraduate: $55,950/year for 12–18 credits; MA/MFA graduate: $58,440/year for 12–18 credits in 2026–2027.
- Funding: Merit scholarships and other institutional financial support are available; international students are eligible for specified CCS scholarships and the International Student Grant.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- CCS offers programs across film, photography, animation, illustration, studio art, communication design, product and transportation design, interior and fashion design, interdisciplinary art and design, media, sustainability, user experience, and creative-industry business.
- The BFA in Film covers narrative, documentary, and experimental filmmaking, with coursework including cinematography, lighting, sound design, screenwriting, production, VFX, and film history. The program is listed as portfolio optional.
- Graduate eligibility and portfolio expectations vary by program. For example, the part-time MA in Color & Materials Design typically expects three years of professional design experience, while its portfolio may include work from architecture, crafts, fashion, fine arts, illustration, interior design, industrial/product design, photography, textiles, transportation design, and related fields.
General Eligibility
- Undergraduate applicants may apply as first-year or transfer students. CCS states that applicants may or may not have formal art/design experience. Transfer applicants must meet CCS's transfer-credit and academic requirements.
- International students are eligible to apply to undergraduate and graduate programs. International applicants requiring a U.S. visa have a final application deadline of 1 April.
- Graduate applicants must have completed, or be on track to complete, a bachelor's degree or higher by August 2027 for graduate admission beginning in the 2027 academic year.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate applicants submit high-school or college transcripts as applicable. Transfer applicants must provide transcripts from colleges attended; applicants with fewer than 12 college credits must also submit a high-school transcript.
- Graduate applicants must submit postsecondary transcripts. International graduate applicants must provide certified English translations containing the relevant academic records and grading scale.
Language Requirements
- International undergraduate applicants whose primary or native language is not English must submit an accepted English-language test score. CCS lists TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, English Test, SAT, and ACT, with a possible waiver where the primary language of instruction at the applicant's secondary school or college was English.
- For graduate applicants, CCS lists minimum scores of TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.5, Duolingo English Test 110, Pearson PTE Academic 56, or Michigan English Test 58 (B2). A waiver may be requested when the applicant's undergraduate degree was taught in English.
Application Fee
| Applicant / Application | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate CCS application | $0 |
| Undergraduate SlideRoom portfolio submission, where required | $10 |
| Graduate application | $18 non-refundable |
The graduate application fee is stated in CCS's graduate admissions documentation.
Tuition
| Study Level | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | All students | $1,865/credit; $55,950 for 12–18 credits | Per credit / flat full-time semester rate | $100 registration + $590 resource fee per semester; $20 annual insurance fee |
| MA/MFA | All students | $1,948/credit; $58,440 for 12–18 credits | Per credit / flat full-time semester rate | $100 registration + $590 resource fee per semester; $20 annual accident insurance |
| MPS | Online program | $997/credit | Per credit | CCS lists no registration/resource/accident fees in the published MPS cost table |
The undergraduate and MA/MFA rates above are for the 2026–2027 academic year. CCS states that its tuition and fees apply equally to in-state, out-of-state, and international students.
Funding & Financial Support
- CCS automatically considers applicants for merit-based scholarships after completion of the admissions requirements. International students are eligible for CCS merit scholarships and the International Student Grant, which provides $1,500 in the first semester of enrollment each academic year to eligible foreign citizens. CCS reports average awards of $27,833 per academic year for incoming international BFA students and $29,500 for incoming international graduate students who began in 2025/2026.
- Graduate applicants, including international applicants, are automatically considered for CCS Graduate Scholarships. Scholarship recipients must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 to continue receiving this funding.
University Services & Academic Support
- CCS provides academic advising, admissions advising, portfolio reviews, international admissions support, and Global Engagement Office assistance for international students. International students receive support with immigration and visa matters, including documentation required for I-20 or DS-2019 processing.
- Film students have access to industry-standard production facilities and equipment, while photography students have access to professional cameras, lighting equipment, studios, darkrooms, and processing facilities.
Application Requirements
- Undergraduate applicants must submit an application and the relevant high-school or college transcripts. Portfolio requirements depend on the intended major. Where a portfolio is required, CCS generally asks for 5–12 pieces submitted through SlideRoom.
- International undergraduate applicants must provide English-language test scores when applicable and English translations of academic records.
- Graduate applicants must submit an application, transcripts, a current CV/resume, two recommendation letters, and applicable program-specific materials. Program requirements may additionally include a portfolio, statement of purpose, or other materials.
- Applicants to the Interdisciplinary Design & Media graduate program must submit a statement of purpose, resume/CV, letters of recommendation, and transcripts. Applicants to User Experience Design must also submit a program-specific statement of purpose.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Undergraduate Application Opens: 1 August 2026
- Undergraduate Early Action Deadline: 1 December 2026
- Undergraduate Regular Decision Deadline: 1 February 2027
- Undergraduate Rolling Admissions: After 1 April 2027
- Undergraduate Winter Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Undergraduate Enrollment Deposit Deadline: 1 May 2027
- Graduate Priority Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Graduate General Deadline: 15 February 2027
- Graduate International Application Deadline: 1 April 2027
- Graduate Enrollment Deposit Deadline: 1 May 2027
Location
College for Creative Studies — Detroit, United States
Additional Details
CCS's published graduate admissions page identifies the 2027 academic year for applicants beginning graduate study in 2027, while the currently published tuition information covers 2026–2027. Applicants should therefore distinguish the admissions cycle from the latest published tuition schedule.
International students requiring an F-1 visa must demonstrate sufficient financial resources for the estimated cost of attendance, although CCS scholarships and the International Student Grant may be deducted when calculating the required funds.