California Institute of the Arts

24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia, California

Background Image: California Institute of the Arts exterior

California Institute of the Arts is a learning environment designed by artists for artists. Six schools for the visual, performing and writing arts converge under one roof to form a vibrant creative community that is dynamic as it is diverse. Students receive intensive professional training under the direction of an exceptional faculty of experienced working artists

California Institute of the Arts is an internationally recognized leader and innovator in the training of professional artists. Since 1970, generations of our graduates have defined the forefront of contemporary creative practice, shaping the direction of the arts in the years to come.

All programs encourage progressive and experimental work--yet maintain that the exploration of new form and expressions proceeds from a foundation of advanced skills and time-proven techniques. Each student is urged to develop a distinctive vision, a personal voice. Small classes, a low student-faculty ratio, and a formal mentoring structure allow ample personal attention for students. Program value independent artistic and intellectual inquiry and promote the study of art in a broad social and cultural context. For undergraduates, work within the artistic metier is integrated with a rigorous liberal arts curriculum emphasizing critical thinking and communication of one's artistic vision and ideas. Students may complement their BFA with a Critical Studies minor.

CalArts actively engages with the world, partnering with artists, institutions and audiences across all boundaries. Students can acquire valuable teaching experience through Community Arts Partnership (CAP) programs at local arts organizations and high schools. The Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT) in downtown Los Angeles is a state-of-the-art venue for new works, drawn from an eclectic mix of emerging artists and internationally renowned practitioners.

DEGREES OFFERED: BFA, MFA, MA, DMA, Certificate, Advanced Certificate
ACCREDITATION: NASAD, NASD, NASM, NAST, WASC

Hover over dots to see degrees offered and online availability.

MAJORS OFFERED:

ActingMasters Degree
Aesthetics and PoliticsMasters Degree
African Music and DanceMasters Degree
Art and TechnologyMasters Degree
ArtBachelors Degree Masters Degree
Balinese and Javanese Music and DanceMasters Degree
BrassBachelors Degree Masters Degree
Character AnimationBachelors Degree
CompositionBachelors Degree Masters Degree
Costume DesignMasters Degree
DanceBachelors Degree Masters Degree
DirectingMasters Degree
Experimental AnimationBachelors Degree Masters Degree
Film and VideoBachelors Degree Masters Degree
Film DirectingMasters Degree
Graphic DesignBachelors Degree Masters Degree
GuitarBachelors Degree Masters Degree
HarpBachelors Degree Masters Degree
JazzBachelors Degree Masters Degree
Lighting DesignBachelors Degree Masters Degree
ManagementBachelors Degree Masters Degree
Music Technology: Interaction, Intelligence and DesignBachelors Degree

 

 

Musical ArtsBachelors Degree
North Indian MusicMasters Degree
PercussionBachelors Degree Masters Degree
Performer-ComposerBachelors Degree Masters Degree
Photography and MediaBachelors Degree Masters Degree
Piano/KeyboardBachelors Degree Masters Degree
ProducingMasters Degree
Production ManagementMasters Degree
Scene DesignBachelors Degree Masters Degree
Scene PaintingMasters Degree
Sound DesignCertificate Masters Degree
Stage Management Bachelors Degree Masters Degree
StringsBachelors Degree Masters Degree
Technical DirectionBachelors Degree Masters Degree
Video for PerformanceMasters Degree
VoiceBachelors Degree Masters Degree
WindsBachelors Degree Masters Degree
World MusicBachelors Degree
World PercussionMasters Degree
Writing Masters Degree
Writing for PerformanceMasters Degree

MINORS OFFERED:

African American Improvisational MusicMasters degree
Collaborative KeyboardMasters degree

 

Experimental Sound PracticesMasters degree
Integrated MediaMasters degree

LEGEND

Certificate
Associates Degree
Bachelor's Degree

Postbaccalaureate Certificate
Low-Residency Masters
Masters Degree


Fully Online
Partially Online
Optional Online

UNDERGRADUATE COST OF ATTENDANCE 2023-2024
FULL-TIME  
TUITION $ 56,074
MANDATORY FEES 650
BOOKS & SUPPLIES 938
ON-CAMPUS ROOM & BOARD 7,396
OFF-CAMPUS ROOM & BOARD 13,100
OTHER 12,250
FINANCIAL AID 2021-2022 FULL-TIME FRESHMEN *
AID CATEGORY AVG PER RECIPIENT 1st YR RECIPIENTS
INSTITUTIONAL AWARDS3 $16,932 100%
FEDERAL/NATIONAL GRANTS 5,321 44%
STATE & LOCAL GRANTS 8,715 14%
FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS 5,409 54%

AVERAGE AMOUNT RECEIVED PER RECIPIENT: $25,877
100% OF FULL-TIME FRESHMEN RECEIVED AID

* Most recent financial aid data available

ACCEPTANCE RATE: 21%

Acceptance Rate = The percentage of students admitted out of applications received in a given year.

 
ENROLLMENT: FALL 2022

UNDERGRADUATE FTE1 = 956

UNDERGRADUATE

FULL-TIME 928
PART-TIME 71

NOTE 1: "Full-Time Equivalent" is the common way to measure the relative size of colleges. This adjusts for differences in the percentage of part-time students (or faculty). For example: one full-time student = 1 FTE; three half-time students = 1.5 FTE, etc.

UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
APPLICATION: Required
ONLINE APPLICATION: Recommended
APPLICATION FEES: None
HOME EXAM: Not Required
INTERVIEW: Required, depending on program
ESSAY: Required
SAT / ACT: Not Required
PORTFOLIO: Required
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: Required (2)
IELTS: Required if English is a second language
Minimum score 7
TOEFL: Required if English is a second language
Minimum score 80

TRANSCRIPTS

HIGH SCHOOL: Required
COLLEGE: Required, if transferring
FACULTY: 2022-2023

FACULTY FTE1 = 212

FULL-TIME 150
PART-TIME 185
 

STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: FALL 2022
6.6 TO 1
FTE STUDENTS PER FTE FACULTY1

RETENTION

FRESHMAN RETENTION

FALL 2020 FRESHMEN
RETURNING IN FALL 2021
65%
 
FALL 2021 FRESHMEN
RETURNING IN FALL 2022
85%
GRADUATION

SIX-YEAR GRADUATION RATE

FALL 2015 FRESHMEN
GRADUATING WITHIN SIX YEARS
 
72%
 
FALL 2016 FRESHMEN
GRADUATING WITHIN SIX YEARS
 
64%

UNDERGRADUATE ETHNICITY

FALL 2022

UNDERGRADUATE GENDER DISTRIBUTION

FALL 2022

NEW STUDENT GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION2

FALL 2022
OTHER PROGRAMS

N/A

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES

International Exchange programs
Internships
Career Service Office
Interschool (double-major)
Practicum/Interim (special session at the beginning of the spring semester)
Visiting Artist Lecture Series
CAP (Community Arts Partnership)
Portfolio Days and Showcases for industry professionals

NOTE 1: "Full-Time Equivalent" is the common way to measure the relative size of colleges. This adjusts for differences in the percentage of part-time students (or faculty). For example: one full-time student = 1 FTE; three half-time students = 1.5 FTE, etc. NOTE 2: Geographic distribution is reported for first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates. NOTE 3: Includes all institutional scholarships and grants, but does not include College Work Study or third party awards.