Get matched with vetted scholarships and enter our
Please select whichever best describes you for the upcoming 2024 - 2025 academic year.
I’m a high school student I’m a college or graduate student
100% Free. No Spam.
    Start typing in the text field above
    C

    California Institute of the Arts

    calarts.edu Black Arrow Icon
    Advertiser disclosure

    Student-centric advice and objective recommendations

    Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.

    Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.

    Overview

    California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Valencia, California. There are currently 931 undergraduates at CalArts and the school’s acceptance rate is 25%. The tuition at CalArts is $55,056.

    California Institute of the Arts
    21 Suburb
    Suburban schools are a great option for students who want to take advantage of the amenities of the city while escaping the hustle and bustle. At a suburban school you’ll be within a stone’s throw of the city, but you will maintain a strong campus culture and remain grounded in your college’s community.

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 931

    Pell Grant 21%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 10%

    Part-Time Undergrad Students 2%

    Percent Male / Female 39% / 61%

    Ethnic Diversity at CalArts

    35% White

    27% International / Non-Citizen

    14% Hispanic

    9% Asian / Pacific Islander

    6% Multiracial

    4% Black

    3% Unknown

    Academics Snapshot

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 7:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 64%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Visual & Performing Arts

    69%

    69% of graduates

    Communications Technologies

    28%

    28% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot

    $78,710

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $27,324

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $51,386

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown

    Tuition
    $55,056
    Books & Supplies
    $2,500
    Room & Board
    $12,446
    Other
    $8,708

    Estimated Cost:

    $78,710

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    The sticker price at CalArts is $78,710. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.


    It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.


    College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at CalArts would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    Using State Grants at CalArts

    If you reside in California and are considering CalArts, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.

    California Institute of the Arts Financial Aid

    Students who are applying for financial aid at California Institute of the Arts need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.


    The FAFSA code for California Institute of the Arts is 001132.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.

    Pell Grants at California Institute of the Arts

    14% of students at California Institute of the Arts receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to California Institute of the Arts.


    You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    CalArts students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:


    California Institute of the Arts Financial Aid Resources

    If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at CalArts or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!


    Here’s how you can get in touch:


    Admissions Snapshot

    25%

    Admission Rate

    Is CalArts test-optional?

    California Institute of the Arts is test-blind, which means that it does not allow applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that they won’t consider these scores from any applicant. Decisions are based more heavily on grades, extracurricular activities, essays, interviews, and other factors.

    January
    5

    Regular Decision

    What is the application deadline at CalArts?

    Students must apply by January 5 to enroll at CalArts during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.

    Student Outcomes Snapshot


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $41,198

    Median Debt $25,000

    Debt 10 years after graduation $265

    Graduation Rate 64%

    What is the graduation rate at California Institute of the Arts?

    64% of students who start at California Institute of the Arts end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 6% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

    How much do graduates of California Institute of the Arts go on to earn?

    10 years after starting school at California Institute of the Arts, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $41,198. This is $9,193 less than the national median.


    Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

    How much do students at CalArts take out in loans?

    Graduates of CalArts have to take out a median of $25,000 in federal student loans. This is $11,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.

    Data Sources

    We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

    Get Started

    Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.

    3 reasons to join scholarships360

    • Automatic entry to our $10,000 No-Essay Scholarship
    • Personalized matching to thousands of vetted scholarships
    • Quick apply for scholarships exclusive to our platform

    By the way...Scholarships360 is 100% free!

    Join For Free