California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About California Institute of the Arts
Artists who helped shape contemporary animation and film came through here, including Tim Burton, John Lasseter, and Brad Bird. CalArts is known for cross-disciplinary, studio-based learning in visual arts, film, animation, theater, dance, and music. Critiques, close mentorship, and a try-it-and-see ethos create an exploratory yet disciplined atmosphere.
Studios, performance spaces, galleries, digital labs, and fabrication shops sit alongside advising, counseling, and career support. Student life revolves around constant shows, screenings, concerts, and pop-up projects. And the Valencia setting brings trails and calm, with Los Angeles close for internships, industry panels, and festivals. Distinctive trait: collaboration is the norm, and campus often feels like a working arts community.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) offers 23 degree programs across 6 major academic fields, graduating approximately 415 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Arts (17 programs, 291 graduates), Media Tech (1 programs, 72 graduates), Computer & IT (2 programs, 20 graduates), English (1 programs, 15 graduates) and Communication (1 programs, 10 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Arts (17 programs, 291 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinematography and Film Production | 45 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0602 |
| Acting | 41 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0506 |
| Studio Arts, General | 40 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0702 |
| Theatre Design and Technology | 30 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0502 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0904 |
| Dance | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0301 |
| Photography | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0605 |
| Music | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Graphic Design | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0409 |
| Jazz Studies | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0910 |
| Theatre Arts Management | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.1004 |
| Music Performance | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0903 |
| Costume Design | 4 |
|
Master's
|
50.0510 |
| Theatre Directing and Production | 3 |
|
Master's
|
50.0507 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 2 |
|
Master's
|
50.9999 |
| Intermedia and Multimedia | 1 |
|
Master's
|
50.0706 |
| Musicology and Ethnomusicology | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0905 |
Media Tech (1 programs, 72 graduates)
Digital Media Technologies and Broadcasting Systems
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animation and Interactive Technology | 72 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10.0304 |
Computer & IT (2 programs, 20 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software and Media Applications | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11.0899 |
| Virtual Environments and Simulation | 7 |
|
Master's
|
11.0804 |
English (1 programs, 15 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Writing | 15 |
|
Master's
|
23.1302 |
Communication (1 programs, 10 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Media and Multimedia | 10 |
|
Master's
|
09.0702 |
Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 7 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cultural Studies and Critical Theory | 7 |
|
Master's
|
30.2601 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
How much does it cost to attend California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)?
The annual tuition at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) is $56,724 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $77,308 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $12,820 (on) / $18,600 (off) and books and supplies $938.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does California Institute of the Arts offer?
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) offers 23 academic programs across 6 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate (Research).
Most popular program areas include:
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (17 programs)
- Digital Media Technologies and Broadcasting Systems (1 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (2 programs)
- English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis (1 programs)
- Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for California Institute of the Arts?
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) has an 26% acceptance rate and a 33.7% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 2,023
- Students admitted: 525
- Students enrolled: 177
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at California Institute of the Arts?
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) provides financial aid to 20% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $22,071 and average loans of $9,997.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,456
- State/Local grants: $7,544
- Institutional grants: $19,304
- Federal loans: $5,236
The university supports 165 students with grants and 57 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for California Institute of the Arts graduates?
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) graduates earn a median salary of $28,018 after 6 years and $41,198 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $13,878 (25th percentile) to $89,495 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $96,900 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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