College for Creative Studies

College for Creative Studies

Great Lakes Region
City Campus Setting
Small Size
1,399 Undergrad Enrollment
10:1 Student:Faculty
Master’s Highest Degree
Accepts Tuition Rewards

From College for Creative Studies

For more than a century, the College for Creative Studies has distinguished itself as a premier institution of higher learning. A private, fully-accredited college of art and design located in midtown Detroit, CCS enrolls more than 1,300 students from 40 states and 28 countries.

Students pursue Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Communication Design Strategy; Entertainment Arts (Animation, Concept Design, Game); Fashion Design; Film; Illustration; Interdisciplinary Studies; Interior Design; Photography; Product Design, Studio Art & Crafts and Transportation Design. CCS also offers graduate programs in Art Education, Color & Materials Design, Design for Sustainability, Interdisciplinary Design Studies, Transportation Design and User Experience Design, in addition to a graduate Minor in Design for Sustainability. 

CCS is also excited to offer the first 3-year, reduced credit (90) BA curriculum in Fashion Business Management. This program blends strategic business leadership with creativity, digital innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking. This bold approach to fashion business education is designed for the next generation of leaders driving the global fashion industry. 

By providing unparalleled facilities, elite faculty and a curriculum that teaches critical thinking and professional skills, CCS helps students seek new directions and find their individual voices, giving graduates great flexibility and many options as their careers unfold.

The accomplishments of our alumni clearly demonstrate this. Alumni occupy senior management positions, run their own companies and are respected exhibiting artists and sought-after experts in their fields. CCS graduates today are working for such companies as Pixar, Sony Dreamworks, Motorola, Whirlpool, Nike, Google, Puma, Bongo Comics, Trek Bicycles, Shinola, Fossil, Airstream, Henry Ford Health System, Ford, GM, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota, Volvo, VSA, Campbell Ewald and many more.

Neighborhood

Located in Detroit's Midtown neighborhood, College for Creative Studies sits in a culturally rich area filled with museums, galleries, and independent shops within walking distance. The surrounding streets offer diverse dining options, coffee shops, and entertainment venues that cater to creative students, while the proximity to Wayne State University creates a vibrant college community atmosphere. The neighborhood blends historic architecture with contemporary art spaces, making it an inspiring environment for students pursuing creative disciplines.
85
Very Walkable
Walk Score
85
Excellent Transit
Transit Score
75
Very Bikeable
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Median rent nearby: ~$966/mo

Admissions & Enrollment

2026-27 Application Deadlines Deadline  
Early Action Dec 1, 2026
Regular Decision Feb 1, 2027
Rolling Admission Open Applications are reviewed as they arrive
Application deadlines are based on information from the college website or publicly available sources. Deadlines can change, so be sure to verify all deadlines with the college before applying.
  REQ Required REC Recommended CON Considered NR Not Required
Highschool GPA
Highschool Rank
Highschool Record
College Preparatory Program
Recommendations
Admission test scores
Personal essay
· REQ = Required
· REC = Recommended
· CON = Considered
· NR = Not Required
Freshmen Class Total Men Women Another
Number of applicants 1,132 25 % 74 % -
Number admitted 1,050 23 % 76 % 1 %
Number enrolled 262 24 % 75 % -
Does not fall into either of the mutually exclusive binary categories provided

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Mission Statement

The College for Creative Studies nurtures the creativity that is vital to the enrichment of modern culture. The College educates visual artists and designers, knowledgeable in varied fields, who will be leaders in creative professions that shape society and advance economic growth. The College fosters students' resolve to pursue excellence, act ethically, embrace their responsibilities as citizens of diverse local and global communities, and learn throughout their lives. The College engages in community service by offering opportunities for artistic enrichment and opening career pathways to talented individuals of all ages.