Overview
The California Institute of the Arts is a private university that offers degree programs in visual and performing arts. CalArts offers degrees in more than 70 degree-granting programs in Art, Music, Dance, Theater, and Film, with all undergraduate pathways following the BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) General Education Curriculum. All of the arts are housed under one 500,000 sq.-ft. building in Santa Clarita, encouraging diverse collaborations across disciplines and investigation of hybrid art forms. Students can take their ideas cross-cultural by utilizing study abroad opportunities through CalArts artistic collaborations and partnerships worldwide, too.
Acceptance Rate:
25%
Average Net Price:
$59,367
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
3.3
Average ACT Composite
21
Average SAT Composite
1160
Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability & Cost
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $56,724 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $56,724 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $12,820 |
| Books and Supplies | $938 |
Average Net Price By Family Income
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
0
100
75%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
21%
Average Aid Per Year
$20,474
21%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,321
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$16,932
Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
8%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$8715
26%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,321
Average Grant & Scholarship By Family Income
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$10,721,064
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$1,936,951
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
32%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$9,981
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$24,326
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$258
Students receiving federal loans
32%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,409
Average Other Loans Per Year
$38,540
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Private
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Blind
This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
2120
Students Applied
26%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
100
Transfer Students Admitted
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Test Optional
Yes
SAT Subject Tests
No
AP Course Credit
Yes
Dual Enrollment
No
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Regular Decision | January 5 | June 1 |
| Other | December 3 |
Rolling Admissions
The college has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year.
Application Fee
$70
Fee waivers availableApplications Accepted
Admitted Student Stats
Average ACT Composite: 21
Average SAT Composite: 1160
SAT Percentiles
Math
Reading
3.3
Average GPA
Admissions Resources
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
1,440
Total Number of Undergrads
940
0
100
56%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
66%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
7:1
US National: 21:1Non Traditional Learning
- Summer Sessions
Learning Options
- Study Abroad
Classroom Sizes
Degrees and Majors
MAJORS
21
Faculty Overview
Gender
Ethnicity
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Residency
Size of Town
Suburb or town
US States Represented
20
Countries Represented
25
Ethnicity
Percent of First Generation Students
16%
Student Organizations
19
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
No
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Yes
Housing
0
100
37%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No
Disability Housing Available
Yes
0
100
36%
Freshman Living on Campus
Athletics
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Not applicable
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$50,600
Top 5 Cities
Los Angeles
San Francisco
New York
San Diego
Orange
Top 5 Employers
California Institute of the Arts
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Walt Disney Imagineering
DreamWorks Animation
The Walt Disney Company
Top 5 Sectors
Arts and Design
Business Development
Media and Communication
Education
Operations
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$24,326
Loan Default Rate
4%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$258
REVIEWS
Read What Students Are SayingReally awesome if you know what you want. This university is all about the business, you don't want to muck around waiting for someone to tell you what you're going to do.
Marvin from Norwalk, CA
As an artist, you dream of going to a place where like minded individuals share your colorful visions- and CalARTS brings students like this together. The landscape is enriching and the talent is infinite. The school is small but the opportunities grand.
NS from Los Angeles, CA
CalArts is a wonderful choice for any student looking to stretch their artistic abilities. The faculty are very nurturing and helpful. The classes can be difficult, but it's worth the great education.
Erin from Saugus, CA
this college is amazing. a lot of hard work, but plenty of friendly faces. i'm so glad i cam to this school
Tomas from Novato, CA
It is excellent for imaginative people who come from a strong technical trained background, to explore their creative sides of their artistic forms.
Mengna from Stevenson Ranch, CA
Very challenging courses. Small student to teacher ratio which is excellent. Very expensive.
Celeste
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