Organizer Information
Scripps College is a private undergraduate liberal arts college located in Claremont, California, United States. Founded in 1926, it is a member of The Claremont Colleges consortium. The institution offers undergraduate education across the humanities, arts, social sciences, and sciences, with opportunities for interdisciplinary study. Relevant academic areas for artists and creative applicants include Art, Art History, Art Conservation, and Media Studies.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Scripps College
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Art History, Art Conservation, Film, Photography, Digital Art, Media Studies
- Relevant Programs: Art; Art History; Art Conservation; Media Studies
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Regular Decision, and transfer admission rounds
- Application Deadline: November 15, January 8, or March 15, depending on application round and applicant category
- Start of Studies: Fall or spring, depending on admission route
- Application Fee: $60
- Tuition: $70,600 per academic year for tuition alone; 2026–2027 tuition and standard fees total $70,926
- Funding: Merit scholarships and need-based financial aid, subject to eligibility.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
Scripps College offers undergraduate study in several fields relevant to visual artists, designers, filmmakers, and researchers.
- Art: Studio practice encompassing drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, photography, digital art, book arts, and video.
- Art History: Historical and cultural study of visual arts and architecture across different geographical regions and periods.
- Art Conservation: Interdisciplinary study related to art and its preservation.
- Media Studies: Critical and practical study of media, film, digital imaging, photography, video art, and related creative practices.
Media Studies is an intercollegiate program, allowing students to take eligible courses across The Claremont Colleges. Students may combine fields through double majors or interdisciplinary study, subject to academic requirements.
General Eligibility
- Scripps accepts first-year and transfer applicants, including eligible international students. First-year applicants must not yet have earned a high school diploma at the time of application; transfer applicants apply through the designated transfer admission route.
- Admission decisions consider academic performance, coursework, essays, recommendations, activities, and individual experiences. SAT and ACT scores are optional. Interviews and arts supplements are also optional for applicants who wish to provide additional information about their interests and abilities.
Educational Background
- First-year applicants must submit secondary-school academic records. Scripps recommends a strong college-preparatory curriculum, including English, mathematics, social studies, science, and foreign languages. These are recommended course patterns rather than mandatory subject-specific admission prerequisites.
- Transfer applicants must provide academic records from their secondary schools and colleges attended. Transfer students must complete the equivalent of four full-time semesters at Scripps, including at least 16 courses, to earn the BA degree.
- Applicants interested in studio art do not need to demonstrate prior advanced art training to begin introductory courses. A portfolio may be used to petition for placement in higher-level art courses, rather than serving as a universal admission requirement.
Language Requirements
International applicants educated outside the United States are subject to English-proficiency requirements. Scripps accepts the following examinations:
| Test | Minimum total score |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 |
| TOEFL | 5 |
| Duolingo English Test | 130 |
- The published TOEFL minimum is reproduced as displayed on the official admissions page; applicants should verify the applicable test scale before submitting results. Scores must meet the minimum in a single sitting and cannot be superscored.
- Applicants whose first language is English or whose school uses English as its primary language of instruction may request a waiver. Official test results must be received before the applicable application deadline.
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Application fee | Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| First-year applicants | $60 | Fee waiver may be requested through the Common Application |
| Transfer applicants | $60 | Previously applied applicants may qualify for a waiver when reapplying |
Tuition
| Cost item | Official amount | Billing structure |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $35,300 | Per semester |
| Student Body Fee | $163 | Per semester |
| Tuition and standard fees | $70,926 | Per academic year |
| Housing | $6,373 | Per semester |
| Standard 16-meal plan | $5,365 | Per semester |
| Student health insurance (SHIP) | $3,312 | Annual premium; listed separately from standard cost of attendance |
The college's published on-campus cost of attendance is $97,574–$98,574 per academic year, including estimated books, personal expenses, transportation, housing, and food. The total varies with transportation allowances and other circumstances. The insurance premium is listed separately and may be added to the cost of attendance.
Funding & Financial Support
Scripps offers merit-based admission scholarships and need-based financial aid.
- Merit scholarships: First-year applicants are automatically considered for admission scholarships ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 annually. Awards are renewable for four years, subject to the published conditions.
- International applicants: International first-year applicants are eligible for consideration for the same published merit scholarship range.
- Need-based aid: Scripps states that it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need as calculated under its institutional methodology.
- International financial aid: Assistance is limited and awarded at admission. International applicants seeking need-based aid must submit the CSS Profile with their admission application.
Financial aid is not guaranteed. International applicants should review the institution's financial documentation requirements and funding policies before applying.
University Services & Academic Support
Scripps provides academic resources relevant to art and media students:
- Art studios: Studio facilities support practices such as painting, sculpture, photography, digital art, and printmaking. Some facilities have extended access arrangements.
- Media production: The intercollegiate Media Studies program provides access to production and post-production resources, including video, animation, and digital media facilities.
- Museums and galleries: The Clark Humanities Museum and Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery support art-related learning, exhibitions, and engagement with original works.
- Library and research resources: Students can use college library collections and intercollegiate academic resources.
- Academic advising: Departmental advising supports course sequencing and completion of major requirements.
Access to specific studios, facilities, internships, and exhibition opportunities depends on the relevant program and applicable institutional arrangements.
Application Requirements
First-year applicants
Applicants must submit:
- Common Application
- $60 application fee or an eligible fee waiver
- School Report and counselor recommendation
- Two academic teacher recommendations
- Official secondary-school transcripts
International applicants must also submit:
- Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test results, subject to applicable waiver conditions
- Official International Baccalaureate or national examination results, where applicable
- Scripps College International Student Financial Form
- Certified English translations of documents written in another language
Optional materials: Admission interview, art/music/dance supplements, and InitialView conversation and writing sample.
Transfer applicants
Transfer applicants must submit the Common Application, application fee, Transfer College Report, two academic evaluations, official secondary-school and college transcripts, and a Mid-Term Report if currently enrolled. International transfer applicants must also meet the applicable international documentation and language requirements.
How to Apply?
- Undergraduate Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Early Decision I application deadline: 15 November 2026
- Early Decision I interview deadline: 15 November 2026
- Early Decision I financial aid deadline: 15 November 2026
- Early Decision I notification: Mid-December 2026
- Early Decision I candidate reply: 15 January 2027
- Early Decision II application deadline: 8 January 2027
- Early Decision II interview deadline: 15 January 2027
- Early Decision II financial aid deadline: 31 January 2027
- Early Decision II notification: Mid-February 2027
- Early Decision II candidate reply: 23 February 2027
- Regular Decision application deadline: 8 January 2027
- Regular Decision interview deadline: 15 January 2027
- Regular Decision financial aid deadline: 31 January 2027
- Regular Decision notification: By 1 April 2027
- Regular Decision candidate reply: 1 May 2027
- Spring transfer application deadline: 15 November 2026
- Spring transfer interview deadline: 15 November 2026
- Spring transfer financial aid deadline: 15 November 2026
- Fall transfer application deadline: 15 March 2027
- Fall transfer interview deadline: 15 March 2027
- Fall transfer financial aid deadline: 14 March 2027
Transfer admission notifications and candidate replies operate on a rolling basis. Fall transfer notifications begin in mid-May.
Location
Scripps College — Claremont, California, United States.
Additional Details
- Institutional scope: Scripps is an undergraduate college. Its relevant art and media offerings are bachelor's-level programs, not standalone MFA or PhD admissions programs.
- Arts portfolio: An arts supplement is optional for admission. A portfolio may also support petitions for advanced studio-course placement.
- Standardized tests: SAT and ACT scores are optional under the published testing policy.
- International financial planning: International students must document sufficient financial resources for the cost of attendance after accounting for awarded financial aid or scholarships.
- Application fee: Applicants experiencing financial hardship may request a fee waiver. Applicants who previously applied may also qualify for a waiver when reapplying.
- Tuition distinctions: The annual tuition figure differs from the combined tuition-and-standard-fees figure. Housing, food, insurance, and personal expenses should be considered separately when budgeting.
- Deadline verification: Because the official admissions deadline page does not identify the calendar year beside its dates, applicants should confirm the applicable cycle directly before submitting an application.