Cost of CalArts
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $81,346 |
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| Tuition and fees, in-state | $61,354 |
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| Housing and food (on campus) | $14,132 |
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| Books and supplies | $1,090 |
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| Average net price after aid | $49,996 |
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Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|
| $0–30,000 | $42,456 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $43,913 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $48,569 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $46,849 |
| $110,001+ | $57,246 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with CalArts's net price calculator ↗.
Majors and programs at CalArts
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (10)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 83 | $26,888 | $20,250 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 57 | $22,656 | $24,750 |
| Music | 79 | $22,071 | $26,000 |
| Dance | 28 | $15,190 | — |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 1 | — | — |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 18 | — | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | 25 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 42 | — | — |
| Graphic Communications | 93 | — | $23,875 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | — | — | — |
Master's degree programs (12)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 50 | $39,953 | $106,392 |
| Music | 63 | $31,322 | $90,624 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 12 | — | — |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 28 | — | — |
| Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis | 14 | — | — |
| Dance | 14 | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 73 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 43 | — | — |
| Graphic Communications | 29 | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 26 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 35 | — | $115,588 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | 4 | — | — |
Doctoral degree programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|
| Music | 5 | — | — |
Similar colleges in California
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|
| Loma Linda University | Loma Linda | $25,018 | — | $99,540 |
| Simpson University | Redding | $28,219 | 86% | $62,250 |
| Harvey Mudd College | Claremont | $39,347 | 13% | $164,248 |
| Woodbury University | Burbank | $44,337 | 82% | $65,896 |
| Whittier College | Whittier | $24,940 | 81% | $68,254 |
| Menlo College | Atherton | $32,324 | 68% | $76,858 |
| California Institute of Technology | Pasadena | $8,509 | 2.6% | $166,642 |
| California College of the Arts | San Francisco | $41,109 | 91% | $58,957 |
All colleges in California →
Frequently asked questions
What is CalArts's acceptance rate?
California Institute of the Arts admits 32% of applicants, making it selective.
How much does CalArts cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $81,346 a year (tuition and fees: $61,354). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $49,996 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $42,456.
How much do CalArts graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $45,380 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 117th of 129 similar colleges in California. The best-paid bachelor's program is drama/theatre arts and stagecraft ($26,888 a year after graduation).
What is CalArts's graduation rate?
62% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 82% of first-year students return for a second year.