ccsdetroit.edu
College for Creative Studies is a Detroit-based private non-profit art and design college founded in 1906, offering undergraduate BFA and graduate MA/MFA programs, precollege and continuing education, with an enrollment of roughly 1,330 students and partnerships spanning automotive design, entertainment, and technology.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1906
- HeadquartersDetroit, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What ccsdetroit.edu does
College for Creative Studies (CCS) is a private, non-profit art and design college founded in 1906 and headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, operating across the Walter & Josephine Ford Campus (201 E. Kirby) and the A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education (460 W. Baltimore Ave). The institution delivers undergraduate BFA programs in disciplines including Animation, Illustration, Communication Design, Fashion Design, Film, Game Design, Interior Design, Photography, Product Design, Robotics & Human-Centered Design, and Transportation Design, alongside graduate MA/MFA programs in Color & Materials Design, Design for Sustainability, Interdisciplinary Design & Media, Transportation Design, and User Experience Design. Precollege, dual enrollment, and continuing education programs extend the institution to youth (ages 8–13), teens (14–18), and adult learners. Fall 2025 enrollment is 1,272 undergraduate and 58 graduate students, with 306 undergraduate and 35 graduate degrees conferred for the Class of 2024, 80%/91% undergraduate/graduate placement rates, and 84% first-time full-time retention.
The business model is tuition-driven, segmented across undergraduate programs (annual subscription pricing with Pell Grant participation of 32%), graduate programs (annual subscription with an automatic $5,000 CCS alumni award for BFA holders), precollege/continuing studies (unit pricing on summer experiences with tuition-free paths via Honda Design for Makers for Michigan CTE students), and federally-administered Financial Aid services under Title IV eligibility. Revenue is augmented by foundation support (Margaret Dunning Foundation, Max Marjorie Fisher Foundation, Say Detroit) and corporate partnerships (GM, Nissan, Apple Foundation Program). Technology infrastructure includes an Entertainment Arts render farm supporting student game releases on Steam, SlideRoom for portfolio submissions, Salesforce for admissions, a Self-Service portal for course registration, LiveAlumni for alumni tracking, and Peacock Pay for bookstore charging against financial aid balances. The institution is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, participates in NC-SARA for distance education reciprocity, and is classified as an Opportunity College under Carnegie Classifications.
Go-to-market is sales-led through portfolio-based undergraduate and graduate admissions, supported by national Portfolio Days, virtual counseling appointments, "Chat with the Chairs" sessions, campus visits, and active social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, X, Vimeo). Distribution channels include on-campus degree programs, a newly launched online/part-time graduate portfolio targeting working professionals, and precollege/continuing education delivered on campus and through partner facilities (e.g., Longlong Art Studio). Notable alumni outcomes anchor the value proposition in employment pipelines to Nike (Industrial Design), Dreamworks (Animation), and the Detroit Institute of Arts (Illustration), with explicit industry alignment to the Detroit automotive design ecosystem (Ford, GM, Nissan partnerships).
ccsdetroit.edu firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ccsdetroit.edu
- Legal name
- College for Creative Studies
- Website
- https://ccsdetroit.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1906
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- College for Creative Studies is a Detroit-based private non-profit art and design college founded in 1906, offering undergraduate BFA and graduate MA/MFA programs, precollege and continuing education, with an enrollment of roughly 1,330 students and partnerships spanning automotive design, entertainment, and technology.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ccsdetroit.edu industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education - Art & Design
- NAICS
- Fine Arts Schools (611610), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Design Colleges (Graphic, Industrial, UX/UI, Interior) (EDAHAJAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Animation, Game Art & Digital Arts Colleges (EDAHAJAI), Fashion & Apparel Design Colleges (EDAHAJAF), Digital Arts & Design (Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation) (EDAMAAAB), Personal Enrichment & Creative Arts Programs (EDAAAEAG)
Keywords
Where ccsdetroit.edu is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Detroit
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
ccsdetroit.edu business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Undergraduate Tuition: Degree programs for undergraduate students leading to BFA degrees in various art and design disciplines.
- Graduate Tuition: Graduate degree programs (MA, MFA) in Color & Materials Design, Design for Sustainability, Interdisciplinary Design & Media, Transportation Design, and User Experience Design.
- Youth & Teen Courses: Precollege and continuing education courses for youth (ages 8-13), teens (ages 14-18), and adults including portfolio-building classes and college credit programs.
- Financial Aid Services: Federal student aid administration including Pell Grants, loans, and institutional scholarships for eligible students.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Undergraduate full-time enrollment with financial aid options |
| Subscription | Annual | Graduate MA/MFA programs with alumni awards |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Precollege Summer Experience credit program |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
ccsdetroit.edu product offering
Product offeringCore offering
College for Creative Studies delivers undergraduate BFA degrees, graduate MA/MFA degrees, and non-degree precollege/continuing education programs in art and design disciplines such as Animation, Communication Design, Fashion Design, Film, Game Design, Interior Design, Product Design, Transportation Design, User Experience Design, Color & Materials Design, and Design for Sustainability. The institution provides portfolio-based admissions, financial aid administration, career development services, and industry-sponsored experiential learning opportunities in Detroit.
Product overview
The College for Creative Studies is an art and design college offering undergraduate (BFA) and graduate (MA/MFA) degree programs, along with precollege and continuing education offerings. The institution operates as a comprehensive arts college with core undergraduate programs in disciplines such as Studio Art & Craft, Illustration, Communication Design, Fashion Design, Film, Game Design, Interior Design, Photography, Product Design, Robotics & Human-Centered Design, and Transportation Design. Graduate offerings include specialized programs in Color & Materials Design, Design for Sustainability, Interdisciplinary Design & Media, Transportation Design, and User Experience Design, with select programs available online or part-time. The institution also provides extensive continuing education through Teen & Youth Courses (ages 8-18), Certificate Programs, Study Abroad, and professional development offerings. Supporting services include Career Development and Experiential Learning programs that connect students with industry partners through internships and on-campus recruitment.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Undergraduate Programs BFA degree programs across art and design disciplines including Studio Art & Craft, Illustration, Communication Design, Fashion Design, Film, Game Design, Interior Design, Photography, Product Design, Robotics & Human-Centered Design, and Transportation Design, serving high school graduates and transfer students pursuing creative careers.
- Graduate Programs
- Precollege & Continuing Studies Non-degree programs including Teen Courses (ages 14-18), Youth Courses (ages 8-13), Dual Enrollment for high school students, and professional/adult courses for career development.
- Certificate Programs Professional certificate programs for skill development in specific art and design disciplines.
- Study Abroad International study abroad opportunities for students to gain global perspectives on art and design.
- Career Development Services Career counseling, job placement assistance, resume preparation, interview skills training, and on-campus recruitment events connecting students with employers in creative industries.
- Precollege Summer Experience Three-week summer program for high school students that earns 3.0 college credits and supports portfolio building for college applications.
- Honda Design for Makers Tuition-free summer program for Michigan CTE students teaching design thinking, prototyping, fabrication, 3D printing, and digital modeling tools.
- Teen & Youth Courses Art and design courses for youth (ages 8-13) and teens (ages 14-18), including portfolio building, skill development, and college credit options through dual enrollment.
- Portfolio Review Services Free portfolio reviews and feedback sessions with admissions counselors to help prospective students prepare their application materials.
- Experiential Learning Hands-on learning opportunities including internships, industry-sponsored projects, artistic installations, and volunteer opportunities that prepare students for creative careers.
- User Experience Design Graduate Program Two-year intensive graduate program preparing students for UX design careers, covering user research, interaction design, prototyping, and emerging technologies including AI, AR, and HCI.
Quantifiable outcome
- 80% undergraduate placement rate (Class of 2024)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ccsdetroit.edu
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ccsdetroit.edu technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
Feature3 records
ccsdetroit.edu partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.
- General MotorsmajorGM is listed as a supporting partner for CCS precollege and youth programs. The partnership provides industry connection opportunities for students in automotive design and related creative fields.
- NissanmajorNissan is listed as a supporting partner for CCS precollege and youth programs, contributing to automotive design education and student opportunities.
- Say DetroitminorDetroit-based organization supporting CCS precollege and youth programming initiatives.
- ApplemajorApple Foundation Program partnership providing free coding courses for Detroiters through CCS facilities and instruction.
- Michigan Career and Technical Education (CTE)majorState CTE partnership enables tuition-free Honda Design for Makers summer program for Michigan CTE students, covering design thinking, prototyping, fabrication, 3D printing, and digital modeling.
- Longlong Art StudiominorTroy-based art studio partnership for Painting & Image Making for Illustration course, providing facilities for the three-week college credit program.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ccsdetroit.edu competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): Premier private art and design college offering BFA/MA/MFA programs across the same design and fine-arts disciplines as CCS (industrial design, illustration, architecture, fashion, etc.); highly comparable peer for benchmarking on tuition, placement, and brand.
- Pratt Institute: Private NYC-based art/design school with BFA/MA programs in industrial design, communication design, fashion, and interior design — directly overlapping CCS's undergraduate design offerings and graduate design portfolio.
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC): Independent accredited school of art and design in Chicago offering BFA/MFA in studio art, design, and media arts; comparable peer given similar urban footprint, BFA emphasis, and broad program catalog.
- ArtCenter College of Design: Pasadena-based private art and design college with strong industrial design, transportation design, and entertainment arts programs; most analogous peer for CCS's automotive-design heritage and Entertainment Arts render farm.
- Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD): Large private arts college with BFA/MA programs in entertainment arts, fashion, interior, and transportation design; directly comparable in program breadth and creative-career placement focus, with online graduate offerings expanding the addressable market.
- Cranbrook Academy of Art: Michigan-based graduate-only art and design academy renowned for architecture, 3D/industrial design, and fine arts; geographically proximate peer in the Detroit design corridor offering an MFA-only model for graduate comparisons.
- Ringling College of Art and Design: Small private Florida BFA-granting art and design college specializing in computer animation, game art, entertainment design, and illustration — closely comparable in size, BFA emphasis, and entertainment-arts focus.
- Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD): Small Midwestern private art college offering BFA/MA programs in design, fine arts, and continuing education; comparable peer for size, regional positioning, and precollege/continuing education offerings.
- Otis College of Art and Design: Los Angeles-based independent art and design college offering BFA programs in digital media, toy/product design, fashion, and communication design — comparable peer on size, urban campus, and industry-aligned portfolio pedagogy.
Broad incumbents
- Parsons School of Design (The New School): Design school within The New School offering BFA/MFA in fashion, communication design, interior, and product design — broader university-backed incumbent with overlapping design programs and industry placement.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
ccsdetroit.edu social profiles
Digital presenceccsdetroit.edu compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
ccsdetroit.edu financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ccsdetroit.edu leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
ccsdetroit.edu funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ccsdetroit.edu M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ccsdetroit.edu
What does ccsdetroit.edu do?
College for Creative Studies delivers undergraduate BFA degrees, graduate MA/MFA degrees, and non-degree precollege/continuing education programs in art and design disciplines such as Animation, Communication Design, Fashion Design, Film, Game Design, Interior Design, Product Design, Transportation Design, User Experience Design, Color & Materials Design, and Design for Sustainability. The institution provides portfolio-based admissions, financial aid administration, career development services, and industry-sponsored experiential learning opportunities in Detroit.
Is ccsdetroit.edu a public or private company?
ccsdetroit.edu is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ccsdetroit.edu founded?
ccsdetroit.edu was founded in 1906.
Where is ccsdetroit.edu based?
ccsdetroit.edu is headquartered in Detroit, United States, in the North America region.
How does ccsdetroit.edu make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Undergraduate Tuition is the primary driver. The others are graduate Tuition, youth & Teen Courses and financial Aid Services.
Who are ccsdetroit.edu's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Pratt Institute, School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), ArtCenter College of Design, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Cranbrook Academy of Art, Ringling College of Art and Design, Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) and Otis College of Art and Design. Parsons School of Design (The New School) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does ccsdetroit.edu have an API?
No public API is recorded for ccsdetroit.edu.
What industry is ccsdetroit.edu in?
ccsdetroit.edu's product category is Higher Education - Art & Design. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAJAB, Design Colleges (Graphic, Industrial, UX/UI, Interior), with a secondary code of EDAHAJAI, Animation, Game Art & Digital Arts Colleges. Its NAICS code is 611610 and its SIC code is 7330.