Organizer Information
Laguna College of Art + Design (LCAD) is a private art and design college in Laguna Beach, California, offering undergraduate BFA programs and graduate MFA programs in studio art, animation, design, illustration, entertainment design, and game development. The college's current academic structure lists eight undergraduate majors and MFA programs in Drawing and Painting.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Laguna College of Art + Design (LCAD)
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate
- Degrees Offered: BFA / MFA
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts / Animation / Illustration / Graphic Design / Digital Media / Entertainment Design / Game Development
- Relevant Programs: Animation; Drawing + Painting; Drawing + Painting with Illustration Emphasis; Entertainment Design; Game Development; Graphic Design + Digital Media; Graphic Design + Digital Media with Illustration Emphasis; Illustration; MFA Drawing; MFA Painting
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Rolling admissions
- Application Deadline: Applications accepted until incoming classes are filled; priority date is 1 December for Fall and Spring admission.
- Start of Studies: Fall / Spring
- Application Fee: Free
- Tuition: From $40,560/year for BFA; $42,990/year for MFA Drawing or Painting based on 30 units
- Funding: Scholarships and institutional financial support available; international students are offered the same scholarship opportunities as domestic students.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- LCAD's undergraduate programs cover animation, drawing and painting, illustration, graphic design and digital media, entertainment design, and game development. The BFA curriculum includes specialized pathways such as Drawing + Painting with Illustration Emphasis and Graphic Design + Digital Media with Illustration Emphasis.
- LCAD currently lists MFA in Drawing and MFA in Painting as graduate offerings. These programs focus on advanced studio practice, pictorial theory, visual communication, and professional development.
- Portfolio submission is part of the admissions process for LCAD's BFA programs, with portfolio guidelines varying by major. MFA applicants in Drawing or Painting must submit a portfolio demonstrating their artistic strengths, interests, and development.
General Eligibility
- LCAD accepts international applicants for both BFA and MFA study. International applicants must meet the same core admissions requirements as applicable domestic applicants and additional international documentation requirements.
Educational Background
- BFA applicants must be high school graduates or hold an equivalent qualification. Applicants who are at least 17 may enter the BFA program.
- Applicants to the MFA in Drawing or Painting must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA from an appropriately accredited institution.
- International transfer applicants must provide English translations and credential evaluations of foreign transcripts; international transfer credit is reviewed case by case.
Language Requirements
- International BFA applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following:
- TOEFL: minimum 79
- IELTS: minimum 6.0
- Duolingo English Test: minimum 110
- Scores must be sent directly by the testing service and must have been taken within two years of application. LCAD may waive these tests at the discretion of its Admissions Committee in specified circumstances.
- For international MFA applicants whose native language is not English and who did not complete their undergraduate degree in the United States, LCAD requires TOEFL 79 or IELTS 6.0.
Application Fee
| Study Level | Applicant Type | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|
| BFA | All applicants | Free |
| MFA Drawing/Painting | All applicants | Free |
LCAD describes both its undergraduate and graduate applications as free.
Tuition
| Study Level / Program | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| BFA programs | Domestic and international | $40,560/year or $20,280/semester | Annual / semester; part-time $1,690/unit |
| MFA Drawing | Domestic and international | $42,990/year based on 30 units; $1,433/unit | Per unit |
| MFA Painting | Domestic and international | $42,990/year based on 30 units; $1,433/unit | Per unit |
LCAD states that international students pay the same tuition as California residents. Tuition is established annually and may change.
Funding & Financial Support
- LCAD offers institutional scholarships based on factors including financial need, academic achievement, artistic merit, and specific areas of study. The LCAD Institutional Grant (Merit Scholarship) is considered at admission and may be renewed annually subject to academic requirements.
- LCAD states that international students are eligible for the same scholarship opportunities as domestic students.
University Services & Academic Support
- LCAD provides career development through its Career Services office, including career advising, résumé and cover-letter guidance, interview preparation, creative-industry job fairs, Industry Open House events, and access to an institutional job board.
- Students may also receive academic credit for approved internships. LCAD's internship program is available to enrolled students in good academic standing and allows eligible students to earn credit for qualifying off-campus internships.
- The Main Campus includes studios, computer labs, the Dennis and Leslie Power Library, the LCAD Writing Lab, and Student Services.
Application Requirements
BFA
- Free online application
- Official transcript(s)
- Admissions portfolio
Optional materials include SAT/ACT scores and letters of recommendation. Portfolio requirements differ by major.
International BFA applicants must additionally complete the required foreign-transcript credential evaluation and meet the applicable English-language requirements.
MFA Drawing and Painting
- Free online application
- Artist's Statement of 300–500 words
- Resume or CV
- Two letters of recommendation
- Official final undergraduate transcript, or official in-progress transcript if currently enrolled
- Portfolio
For the MFA in Drawing or Painting, the portfolio should contain 15–20 works, generally produced within the previous four years, accompanied by an inventory sheet. Websites are not accepted as portfolios.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Application Period: Rolling admissions
- Fall Priority Deadline: 1 December 2026
- Spring Priority Deadline: 1 December 2026
Applications may continue after the priority dates until available places in the incoming class have been filled.
Location
Laguna College of Art + Design — Laguna Beach, United States
Additional Details
LCAD's current undergraduate academic pages list eight BFA majors, while its graduate-program page currently lists MFA programs in Drawing and Painting. A separate LCAD page states that the MFA in Game Design will accept applications for Fall 2027, so it is not included as a currently available 2026–2027 MFA admission option.
International students admitted to LCAD must complete additional documentation for visa issuance, including financial documentation for the I-20 process. For BFA applicants, LCAD requires a bank statement showing funds equal to or greater than one year's cost of attendance; the official amount may change annually.