Collège Salette

What Collège Salette does

Collège Salette is a private, for-profit vocational college in Montréal, Quebec, founded in 1942 as Studio A. Salette by Roger Lamalice and Auguste Salette. It is the oldest design school in Quebec and operates today under Quebec Ministry of Higher Education Permit No. 749 795, offering Attestation d'études collégiales (AEC) credentials. The institution delivers four primary programs: AEC Design Graphique (1,260 hours across four 15-week sessions), AEC Design Web et médias interactifs (450 hours, single 15-week session), AEC Illustration Concept Art (1,005 hours across three 15-week sessions, described as unique in Quebec), and an eight-month Mise à Niveau Artistique (MANA) preparatory year restricted to Canadian students. A 3D Animation & VFX pathway is offered in partnership with ESMA Montréal.

The college teaches on an Apple Mac platform using industry-standard software (Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, Sketch, Miro) and applies proprietary pedagogical methods including Projets Multiplex (cross-course integrated projects), Blitz time-pressured workshops, and a real-client Integrator Project (Projet Intégrateur) delivered since 2013 in partnership with firm Atypic to serve nonprofit clients. All instructors are active industry professionals rather than career academics. Programs contain only concentration courses with no general education requirements.

The business model is direct-to-consumer tuition-based, with Canadian student tuition ranging from $5,000 CAD (Design Web) to $17,995 CAD (Design Graphic) per program, and modestly higher rates for international students. Additional revenue streams include a $50 application fee, a $200 registration fee, government pass-through fees for international students, and community creative workshops. Distribution relies on the school's own admissions office, year-round online pre-registration, 'student-for-a-day' experiences, recurring Portes Ouvertes open houses, and co-marketing through the Écoles Créatives group, which co-locates Salette with Collège Marsan, ESMA Montréal, and École Pivaut at the 32,000 sq ft ExCentris complex in Montréal's Quartier des Spectacles. Customer segments are primarily adult learners and career changers, Quebec secondary graduates, and international students from all continents. Reported outcomes include a 93% professional placement rate, 98% student satisfaction, and 97% instructor satisfaction.

Name

Collège Salette

Legal name

Collège Salette

Website

https://collegesalette.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1942

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Collège Salette is a private Montréal design college (founded 1942) delivering Quebec-accredited AEC programs in graphic design, web design, illustration, and 3D animation, serving adult learners, secondary graduates, and international students through tuition-based, direct-to-consumer enrollment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Design Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

Keywords

• Graphic design education
• Vocational design training
• AEC design programs
• Concept art illustration
• Web design school

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition - Design Graphic AEC: Canadian students pay $4,498.75 CAD per session (total $17,995 CAD across 4 sessions). International students pay $4,800 CAD per session (total $19,200 CAD). The program spans 4 sessions of 15 weeks (1,260 hours total).
2. Tuition - Design Web and Interactive Media AEC: All students pay a flat rate of $5,000 CAD for the single-session (15-week, 450-hour) program.
3. Tuition - Illustration Concept Art AEC: Canadian students pay $4,483.33 CAD per session (total $13,450 CAD across 3 sessions). International students pay $4,833.33 CAD per session (total $14,500 CAD). The program spans 3 sessions of 15 weeks (1,005 hours total).
4. Tuition - Mise à Niveau Artistique (MANA): Canadian students pay $5,500 CAD plus taxes for the 8-month preparatory year. MANA is not open to international students due to Quebec legislation. This program is not recognized by the Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur.
5. Admission and Registration Fees: A $50 CAD admission application fee and a $200 CAD registration fee are charged at enrollment. International student CAQ processing fee of $132 CAD and study permit fee of $150 CAD are government fees passed through.
6. Creative Workshops: The college offers open workshops for all skill levels (e.g., life drawing, 10 hours, beginner to intermediate) targeting both prospective students and community members seeking to learn or improve specific design skills.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Collège Salette is a private post-secondary college in Montreal offering short-duration professional AEC (Attestation d'études collégiales) programs in graphic design, web design and interactive media, and illustration concept art, plus an artistic preparatory year (MANA). Programs are taught by active industry professionals using industry-standard tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch) and emphasize concentration-only curricula with no general education requirements.

Product overview

Collège Salette, founded in 1942, is a private college in Montreal offering short-duration professional and technical programs (AECs - Attestations d'études collégiales) in the creative arts. The institution provides four distinct educational programs: AEC Design Graphique (graphic design, 1,260 hours), AEC Design Web et médias interactifs (web design and interactive media, 450 hours), AEC Illustration Concept Art (concept illustration, 1,005 hours), and the Mise à Niveau Artistique (MANA) preparatory year (8 months). Programs combine theory with practice using industry-standard tools including Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, After Effects, Acrobat Pro), Figma, Sketch, and Miro. The college also partners with ESMA Montréal for 3D animation and VFX training. All AEC programs are recognized and accredited by Quebec's Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur (Permit No. 749795), focusing exclusively on concentration courses without general education requirements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AEC Design Graphique A 1,260-hour AEC professional program (4 sessions of 15 weeks) covering graphic design conception, infographic production, and web design with industry-standard software. Leads to an Attestation d'études collégiales (AEC) accredited by Quebec's Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur.
• AEC Design Web et médias interactifs A 450-hour intensive program (1 session of 15 weeks) focused on designing and producing interactive media interfaces, web platforms, mobile applications, and digital experiences using design software, 2D animation, and programming tools. Delivered as a single-session AEC.
• AEC Illustration Concept Art A 1,005-hour AEC program (3 sessions of 15 weeks) integrating traditional, sequential, digital, and urban illustration disciplines. Unique in Quebec, covering illustration for advertising, editorial, children's books, storyboard, character design, and digital art.
• Mise à Niveau Artistique (MANA) An 8-month preparatory year providing foundational drawing skills including color theory, perspective, anatomy, and artistic culture. Serves as a gateway to the AEC programs and is accessible only to Canadian students due to Quebec legislation.
• Creative Workshops (Ateliers) Open workshops offered for all skill levels (e.g., life drawing, beginner to intermediate) targeting both prospective students and community members seeking to learn or improve specific design skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93% professional placement rate of graduates
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• AtypicflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Since 2013, Collège Salette has partnered with firm Atypic to offer the Integrator Project — free graphic design services for OBNLs (nonprofits). This gives final-session students real-client experience while providing a valuable community service. Over 20 nonprofit organizations have benefited, including Enfants d'Orient et d'Occident, Fondation le Pont vers l'Autonomie, Centre d'Apprentissage Parallèle, and many others.
• Écoles Créatives (Parent Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollège Salette is part of the Écoles Créatives group, a network of creative arts schools sharing the ExCentris facility in Montréal. Member schools include Collège Salette (graphic design, illustration, web design), Collège Marsan (photography), ESMA Montréal (3D animation and VFX), and École Pivaut (2D animation). The group collectively promotes creative education, enables cross-school student collaboration and referrals, and shares facilities and administrative resources.
• Illustration QuébeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIllustration Québec (IQ) is the natural partner of Collège Salette, with a mandate to promote Quebec illustration and support its members throughout their professional careers. Many Salette alumni are members of IQ (including Michel Rabagliati, Marie Mainguy, Marie-Anne Campeau Duplessis), and several Salette instructors are members. A visit from IQ is organized for each new student cohort. The partnership provides students with visibility, professional advice, and networking opportunities with established illustrators.
• Société des designers graphiques du Québec (SDGQ)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn collaboration with the Musée McCord Stewart, SDGQ runs student design competitions in which Collège Salette students participate. The competition provides students with portfolio-building opportunities and visibility within Quebec's design community. A Salette student was a winner of the SDGQ competition in 2024.
• Publicis GroupeminorOthersPublicis Groupe is one of the major employers of Collège Salette graduates, featured in the college's alumni success showcase. Not a formal partnership per se, but a significant industry relationship demonstrating the college's talent pipeline to a global advertising group.
• CossetteminorOthersCossette is among the major Quebec advertising agencies that collaborates with the college, providing real-world project mandates and hosting student agency visits. Featured as a collaborator and employer of Salette graduates.
• Eidos MontréalminorOthersEidos Montréal, a major video game and VFX studio in Montréal, is featured as an employer of Collège Salette graduates in the VFX and gaming sector. Not a formal partnership, but a significant industry relationship.
• ICI Radio-CanadaminorOthersCBC/Radio-Canada is featured as an employer of Collège Salette graduates in media production, including an alumnus who is an expert in information design at the broadcaster.
• Sid LeeminorOthersSid Lee (now part of TAG Groupealous) is among the major Quebec creative agencies that collaborates with the college through agency visits and real-world project mandates. Featured as both a collaborator and employer of graduates.
• ExCentris (Facility)coreOthersExCentris is a 32,000 sq ft complex on Boulevard Saint-Laurent, entirely dedicated to creative arts education. It houses Collège Salette along with ESMA Montréal, École Pivaut, and Collège Marsan. The facility includes 8 modular studios, 2 amphitheaters, projection rooms, high-tech classrooms, and bright creative spaces — all shared among the member schools of Écoles Créatives.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal): Major Montreal francophone university offering bachelor's degrees in graphic design, visual arts, and media. Represents a publicly funded degree-pathway alternative for the same Quebec francophone talent pool.
• Collège Marsan: Sibling institution within the Écoles Créatives group, sharing the ExCentris facility. Offers photography programs and benefits from the same parent network, though it occupies an adjacent rather than directly overlapping niche.
• ESMA: 3D animation and VFX school operating from the same ExCentris complex under the Écoles Créatives umbrella. Originally founded in France and now a sister institution, addressing adjacent creative disciplines to Salette's 2D-focused offerings.
• OCAD University: Canada's largest dedicated art and design university, located in Toronto. Comparable in offering undergraduate and graduate design degrees, though at a substantially larger scale and broader scope than Salette's AEC programs.
• Concordia University (Faculty of Fine Arts): Montreal-based university with one of Canada's largest fine arts faculties, including design, studio arts, and animation. Competes for a more advanced, degree-seeking segment of the same creative student market in Montreal.

Direct peers

• LaSalle College: Montreal-based private college offering AEC and DEC programs in graphic design, fashion, and digital arts. Directly competes with Collège Salette for the same Quebec francophone applicant pool seeking design credentials.
• Centre NAD-UQAC: Specialized digital arts training center affiliated with Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, focused on 3D animation, VFX, and video game design in Montreal. Competes for technically inclined design students, particularly those interested in the 3D/VFX track.
• Cégep du Vieux Montréal: Public CEGEP offering subsidized graphic design and visual arts programs in Montreal. Provides a lower-cost public alternative to Salette's AEC programs and competes for the same Quebec secondary school graduates.
• Cégep Marie-Victorin: Montreal-area public CEGEP with design and visual arts programs. Targets a similar francophone student demographic and represents a publicly funded alternative to Salette's private AEC pathway.

Regional players

• Cégep de Matane: Public Quebec CEGEP outside Montreal offering AEC-style programs in visual arts and multimedia. Operates in the same Quebec CEGEP network but in a different geographic region, providing a regional public alternative to private AEC providers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CollegeSalette
• Facebookfacebook.com/College-Salette-131415230241459
• Pinterestpinterest.fr/collegesalette

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 Collège Salette