Laguna College

What Laguna College does

Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) is a private nonprofit higher education institution founded in 1961 and headquartered in Laguna Beach, California. It delivers specialized undergraduate and graduate programs in art, design, illustration, animation, game design, and related creative disciplines to approximately 750 students at a single campus. The institution's revenue model is tuition-based and recurring, with no publicly disclosed pricing.

LCAD is currently positioned as undergoing a period of what it describes as historic transformation. A $100 million capital campaign for campus consolidation is underway, anchored by a $40 million gift from an anonymous donor received in 2024. The campaign's principal physical deliverable is a new Innovation Center, with construction scheduled to begin the week of March 9, 2026. Leadership has transitioned in 2025: Steven Brittan stepped down after five years as president and CEO, and Mark Saville has assumed the role of interim chief executive and president while continuing to lead the capital campaign.

Technology, AI/ML capabilities, and curriculum specifics are not disclosed in available sources, and there is no indication of platform-based or non-tuition product lines. The institution's value proposition rests on its vertical specialization in creative education, a long-standing brand in art and design training, and a consolidating campus footprint intended to support portfolio development and creative career preparation for its students.

Name

Laguna College

Legal name

Laguna College of Art and Design

Website

https://lcad.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Laguna College of Art and Design is a private nonprofit art and design college founded in 1961 in Laguna Beach, California, serving approximately 750 undergraduate and graduate students through specialized creative disciplines and currently undergoing a $100 million campus consolidation campaign.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (611610), Fine Arts Schools (61161)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Fine Arts Colleges (Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking) (EDAHAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Design Colleges (Graphic, Industrial, UX/UI, Interior) (EDAHAJAB), Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Illustration) (EDAAAGAA)

Keywords

• Art and design education
• Higher education
• Creative arts programs
• Undergraduate design degrees
• Graduate art programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Laguna Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Educational Services: Revenue generated through tuition fees from approximately 750 students enrolled in art and design degree programs. The institution operates as a higher education provider offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in creative disciplines.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Core offering

Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) is a private nonprofit higher education institution that provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs in art, design, illustration, animation, game design, and related creative disciplines. The college serves approximately 750 students through a campus-based model in Laguna Beach, California, focused on specialized creative education and portfolio development for professional art and design careers.

Product overview

Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) is an educational institution offering art and design programs to approximately 750 students. The institution is undergoing a historic transformation with a $100 million capital campaign for campus consolidation, including construction of a new Innovation Center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs Undergraduate degree programs in art, design, illustration, animation, game design, and related creative disciplines, designed for prospective students pursuing professional careers in creative industries.
• Graduate Degree Programs Graduate degree programs in art, design, and creative disciplines, intended for students seeking advanced professional training in creative fields.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): One of the oldest and most prestigious U.S. art and design colleges, RISD competes directly with LCAD for the same niche of undergraduate and graduate students pursuing specialized creative education.
• Parsons School of Design (The New School): A leading art and design school offering undergraduate and graduate programs in fashion, graphic design, and fine arts; Parsons competes with LCAD for design-oriented creative students nationally and internationally.
• Pratt Institute: A New York-based private college specializing in art, design, and architecture with a comparable boutique scale and degree portfolio that overlaps directly with LCAD's programs.
• California Institute of the Arts (CalArts): A California-based specialty art and design institution offering programs in animation, film, and visual arts. CalArts is a close geographic and curricular peer to LCAD, particularly for animation and game design students.
• Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD): A large private nonprofit art and design college with broad programs in animation, illustration, game design, and graphic design. SCAD is a direct competitor to LCAD for creative-arts students seeking specialized degrees.
• Otis College of Art and Design: A Los Angeles-based private art and design college with comparable size and program mix in design, illustration, and digital media; Otis directly competes with LCAD in the Southern California market.
• ArtCenter College of Design: A Pasadena-based private art and design college focused on industrial design, graphic design, and illustration. ArtCenter overlaps significantly with LCAD's curriculum and competes for similar design-oriented California students.
• Ringling College of Art and Design: A Florida-based private art and design college known for computer animation, game art, and illustration. Ringling competes with LCAD for design and animation students nationwide at a similar boutique scale.
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC): A major U.S. fine arts and design school offering programs across studio and design disciplines, directly comparable to LCAD in curriculum breadth and target student demographic.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lcad
• Facebookfacebook.com/91173713127

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Laguna College