Acceptance Rate = The percentage of students admitted out of applications received in a given year.
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.
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
African American Improvisational MusicMasters degree
Collaborative KeyboardMasters degree
Experimental Sound PracticesMasters degree
Integrated MediaMasters degree
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 |
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 = The percentage of students admitted out of applications received in a given year.
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.
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 FTE1 = 212
FULL-TIME | 150 |
PART-TIME | 185 |
STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: FALL 2022
6.6 TO 1
FTE STUDENTS PER FTE FACULTY1
FRESHMAN RETENTION
FALL 2020 FRESHMEN RETURNING IN FALL 2021 |
65% |
FALL 2021 FRESHMEN RETURNING IN FALL 2022 |
85% |
SIX-YEAR GRADUATION RATE
FALL 2015 FRESHMEN GRADUATING WITHIN SIX YEARS |
72% |
FALL 2016 FRESHMEN GRADUATING WITHIN SIX YEARS |
64% |
UNDERGRADUATE ETHNICITY
FALL 2022UNDERGRADUATE GENDER DISTRIBUTION
FALL 2022NEW STUDENT GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION2
FALL 2022N/A
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.