“A Hollywood film school that trained storytellers for the screen — CLOSED December 2025, programming absorbed by Arizona State University.”
Columbia College Hollywood was a small, specialized film and media arts institution located in the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1953 as a division of Columbia College Chicago, the school established an independent identity over decades of training filmmakers, animators, and visual effects artists in one of the world's premier entertainment hubs. With total enrollment under 300 students and a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, the college offered an intimate, studio-style learning environment rarely found at larger film programs. Instructors were working professionals from the Hollywood industry, many of whom held Emmy, Golden Globe, and Academy Award credits, giving students unparalleled access to real-world mentors and active industry networks. The college offered Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees and associate programs across Cinema production, Animation and Visual Effects, and Graphic Design and Interactive Media. Students could specialize in directing, cinematography, acting, digital marketing, or digital modeling. The Los Angeles location was central to the program identity: students accessed studio backlots, production companies, and the Southern California media ecosystem directly, turning the city itself into an extension of the classroom. Film festivals, industry screenings, and collaborative productions were hallmarks of the student experience. In 2022, Columbia College Hollywood became a private nonprofit affiliate of Arizona State University and was renamed California College of ASU. Despite this transition, the institution ultimately ceased operations on December 19, 2025, with all programming absorbed by ASU. This profile reflects historical operational data from the 2023-2024 period. Prospective students seeking equivalent programs should explore California College of ASU or ASU's Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Rolling Admissions
Continuous processing with no hard deadline; applications reviewed as received.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$25,680
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Covers pre-production through post-production, with emphases in directing, screenwriting, and film theory.
Technical and creative training in lighting, camera operation, and visual storytelling.
Programs in 3D animation, VFX compositing, digital modeling, and interactive technology using industry-standard software.
Combines traditional design principles with digital marketing and interactive media production.
On-camera acting training focused on film and television performance techniques.
4 years
Four-year BFA with concentrations in directing, cinematography, or screenwriting; built around real productions mentored by Hollywood professionals.
4 years
Covers 3D animation, VFX compositing, and digital modeling using Autodesk Maya, Adobe Creative Suite, and Nuke.
2 years
Foundation credential providing entry-level industry skills and a pathway for transfer to four-year programs.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $25,186
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
