Placement Metric
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California Institute of the Arts
N/A(0)
VerifiedPrivate (Not for Profit)Estd. 1970
Founded
1970
Type
Private (Not for Profit)
University Guide
About California Institute of the Arts
Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.
Why Study at California Institute of Arts?
- Programs: California Institute of Arts is well-known for its undergraduate and graduate programs in Art, Critical Studies, Music, Theater, Dance, Film/ Video offered through 6 reputed schools. Explore: Programs at California Institute of Arts!
- Cost and Financial Aid: The tuition fee for undergraduate and graduate programs at the institute is 52,850 USD per year. International students are awarded merit scholarships and are also eligible to seek education loans or student employment to fund education in US.
- Admission Process: The Admission to California Institute of Arts begins with an online application and requires application fees of 65-85 USD for undergraduate programs and 85 USD for graduate programs.
- Accomodation: The institute has 2 housing units - one for undergraduate students and the other for third and fourth-year students and graduate students. The annual housing expenses in USA for undergraduate students is 7,040 USD and that for graduate students is 9,000 USD.
- Placements: The average salary of graduates of California Institute of Arts is 72,000 USD. Students can apply for jobs through on-campus job centers and become part of workshops, internship programs, information sessions, etc.
Highlights
| Type of Establishment | Private |
| Location | Valencia, California |
| Campus Setting | Suburban |
| Mode of Program | Full-time |
| Total Enrollment | 1,520 |
| Application Portal | Online Application |
| Application Fees | UG: 65-85 USD PG: 85 USD |
| Basic Tuition Fee for International Undergraduate Students | 52,850 USD |
| Basic Tuition Fee for International Graduate Students | 52,850 USD |
| Financial Aid | Scholarship, loans |
| Work-Study | Available |
| Official Website | https://calarts.edu/ |
California Institute of Arts Campus and Accommodation
- The campus of California Institute of Arts is located in Santa Clarita, 30 miles north of Los Angeles in a suburban setting.
- The institute of art is based in a five-level building covering 500,000-square-foot.
- There are various clubs and organizations on campus to fulfill a variety of interests such as Asian Student Alliance (ASA), CalArts Car Club, the Collective, Game Makers, Meditation Club, TEA, the Troupe, etc.
California Institute of Arts Accomodations
- The Chouinard Hall is reserved for undergraduate students and can accommodate up to 340 students at a time in double occupancy rooms with shared bathrooms.
- The Ahmanson Hall is an apartment-style housing for the third and fourth-year undergraduate and graduate students that accommodates about 100 students in 17 suites.
- The suites in Ahmanson Hall have 5 or 6 bedrooms assigned to individual students with a common living area, shared kitchen, and bathroom.
- Common facilities available in the bedroom are a twin-size bed, desk chair, dresser, tabletop desk, built-in closet and wall bookshelf or storage cabinet, computer network, telephone, and cable jack, and heating and air conditioning facilities.
The institute provides a list of off-campus housing resources. Monticello Apartments and Jefferson Vista Canyon Apartments are located close to the campus.
California Institute of Arts Programs
California Institute of Arts is well-known for its undergraduate and graduate programs in Art, Critical Studies, Music, Theater, Dance, Film/ Video offered through 6 reputed schools.
- Undergraduate education at the institute lead to a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
- The institute offers Master of Fine Arts degree with various specializations and a Master of Arts degree in Aesthetics and Politics.
- At the doctoral level, the institute provides a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in the Performer-Composer program at its Herb Alpert School of Music.
- It is one of the top ranked institutions for Fine Arts programs with popular specialities being Photography, Painting/ Drawing, Sculpture and Time-Based Media.
California Institute of Arts Admission Process
California Institute of Arts is a highly selective institution and one of the most renowned providers of Arts programs in the U.S. Students seeking admission to the institute must be prepared to formally demonstrate competencies through portfolio or audition. The process and requirements for domestic and international applicants are similar. However, international applicants are required to fulfill certain additional requirements for admission.
Application Portal: Online Application
Application Fee: Priority Undergraduate Application Fee - 65 USD; Regular Undergraduate Application Fee - 85 USD; Graduate Application Fee - 85 USD
Admission Requirements:
- Official high school transcripts for undergraduate programs and college transcripts for graduate programs
- Official translation of international transcripts
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Portfolio/ Audition
- Letters of Recommendation
- Declaration of Finances
California Institute of Arts Cost of Attendance
The tuition fee and living expenses are the major components of the cost of studying in the U.S.
- The annual tuition fee for undergraduate programs at the California Institute of Arts is 52,850 USD.
- The annual graduate tuition fee at the institute of arts is also 52,850 USD.
- All students are required to pay 616 USD fees per year.
- The estimated cost of attendance for undergraduate and graduate students for 2021-22 are given in the table below:
| Expense | Undergraduate Expenses (in USD) | Graduate Expenses (in USD) | MA Aesthetics and Politics (in USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 52,850 | 52,850 | 42,320 |
| Fees | 616 | 616 | 616 |
| Room | 7,040 | 9,000 | 9,000 |
| Meals | 5,046 | 4,050 | 4,050 |
| Books and Supplies | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Transportation | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Personal Expenses | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| Medical | 2,756 | 2,756 | 2,756 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | 74,308 | 75,272 | 64,742 |
California Institute of Arts Financial Aid
California Institute of Arts provides institutional financial aid to international students.
- All accepted students are considered for merit scholarships up to 10,000 USD based on the application for admission and academic profile.
- The institutional scholarships are highly competitive and awarded to students who rank in the top 30% of the incoming class.
- Graduate applicants are also eligible for merit-based scholarships based on the admission portfolio or audition. The value of scholarship depends on the school and program that the candidate is admitted to.
- Students may receive financial aid through outside scholarship resources for international students studying in the U.S.
- Private organizations that offer scholarships to international students include Education USA, Edupass, FastWeb, Fulbright Foreign Student Program, International Education Financial Aid, College Board, etc.
- Limited student loans are available for international students in the U.S. To be eligible for student loans, the candidate must have a cosigner who is a legal resident of the U.S. with good credit.
Work While you Study
International students are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during academic semesters and up to 40 hours a week during breaks. The minimum hourly wage is 14 USD. The various positions available for student employment include administrative support, non-technical support, technical support, Community Arts Partnerships, Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants, student tutors, researchers, etc.
California Institute of Arts Alumni
- Members of the California Institute of Arts alumni network are entitled to the following benefits:
- Access to popular events
- 20% off on ticket purchases
- Subscription to monthly e-newsletter
- Invitations to gallery opening night receptions
- CalArts library borrowing privileges for a fee of 100 USD
- Permission to use CalArts email account as long as the candidate wants
- Additional discounts on AAA membership, Backstage Magazine, Discover Car Hire, Hotel Storm, Launchpad, ProFlowers, etc.
- Some notable alumni of California Institute of Arts are:
- Alison Brie - American actress, writer, and producer
- Tim Burton - American film director
- Brad Bird - American animator, film director, screenwriter, producer, and voice actor
- Andrew Stanton - American animator, film director, storyboard artist, screenwriter, producer and voice actor based at Pixar
- Pete Docter - Chief creative officer of Pixar
California Institute of Arts Placements
The Center for Life and Work at the institute provides support to students and alumni to grow as artists. The center regularly conducts workshops, internship programs, information sessions, etc. to help students in networking and job search. Internships offered by the institute also contribute to academic credits. The institute offers job search support with helpful guides for preparing a resume, CV, cover letter, artist bio and portfolio. Compass is the institute’s exclusive job board accessible by current students as well as alumni.
According to Payscale, the average salaries of graduates of California Institute of Arts as per job titles are given in the table below:
| Job Title | Average Salary (in USD) |
|---|---|
| Art Director | 100,000 |
| Creative Director | 87,500 |
| UX Designer | 85,500 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | 84,973 |
| Operations Manager | 76,646 |
| Lighting Designer | 57,720 |
| Graphic Designer | 41,693 |
California Institute of Arts is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD). The institute is recognized among America’s top colleges for students in the field of arts by the Newsweek/ The Daily Beast. It is one of the excellent institutions for creative arts, critical reflection and development of new art forms.
FAQs
Ques. What is the California Institute of Arts known for?
Ans. California Institute of Arts is a renowned institution for the education of professional artists in the field of Art, Critical Studies, Music, Theater, Dance and Film/ Video.
Ques. Is the California Institute of Arts reputed?
Ans. California Institute of Arts is ranked #5 in Best Fine Arts programs in the U.S. News and World Report 2021. It is also ranked among the top 250 institutions in the U.S. College Rankings 2021 provided by THE.
Ques. What GPA is required to get into California Institute of Arts?
Ans. An average high school GPA of 3.34 is recommended to get into California Institute of Arts.
Ques. Is it hard to get into California Institute of Arts?
Ans. California Institute of Arts is a highly selective institution with an acceptance rate of less than 30%. In fall 2020, the acceptance rate for undergraduate admission was 27% only which defines the level of competition.
Ques. How much is the tuition at California Institute of Arts?
Ans. The tuition per semester for undergraduate and graduate programs at California Institute of Arts is 26,425 USD. All students are required to pay a fee of 308 USD per semester.
Ques. How much does the MA in Aesthetics and Politics program at California Institute of Arts cost?
Ans. The tuition for MA in Aesthetics and Politics program at California Institute of Arts is 42,320 USD.
Ques. What scholarships are offered to international students at California Institute of Arts?
Ans. International students at California Institute of Arts offer merit scholarships to accepted undergraduate and graduate candidates. The scholarships are limited and highly competitive and mainly awarded to students who rank in the top 30% of their incoming class.
Ques. Does California Institute of Arts require standardized test scores for admission?
Ans. No, standardized test scores are not required for admission to California Institute of Arts. International applicants are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo scores as proof of English language proficiency.
Ques. Are international students offered internships at California Institute of Arts?
Ans. Yes, international students are eligible to participate in authorized internships through Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
Ques. Does California Institute of Arts have sports facilities?
Ans. California Institute of Arts has various sports facilities that include two tennis courts, one basketball court and an outdoor swimming pool.
Courses & Fees
Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way
Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.
Courses
34
Fee from
₹57,15,924.24
Exams
IELTS · TOEFL
Showing 5 of 16 bachelors
Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 55 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 58,740 /Yr
Living Expense₹1591710
Estimated Total₹2162853
Fee trendTuition progression
Admission Guide
Admission Process
California Institute of Arts Admissions 2022
- Programs: The university offers more than 70 comprehensive programs in the media, visual, arts, and performing. Explore: Courses at California Institute of Arts!
- Admission Process: The admission process for California Institute of Arts begins with an online application and requires fees of 65-85 USD for undergraduate programs and 85 USD for graduate programs.
- International Student Requirements: International students applying to UG programs are required to submit a TOEFL score of 80 and a TOEFL score of 100 for PG programs.
Highlights
| Application Portal | Online Application |
| Application Fee | 50 USD (Domestic)/ 65-85 USD (International) |
| Acceptance Rate | 23% (Enrollment 40%) |
| Average SAT/ACT Score | Neither required nor recommended |
| Mode of Payment | Credit/Debit Card |
| Academic Calendar | Based on Semester |
| Intake Sessions | Fall, Summer & Spring |
| Work Experience | Not Required |
| Financial Aid | scholarships |
| Admissions Desk | [email protected]; (800) 545-ARTS |
California Institute of the Arts Admission Deadlines
The institute provides a plethora of courses for international students. The University differs in the application deadlines for the undergraduate and graduate courses.
| Type | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Preferred deadline | December 1 |
| Regular deadline | January 5 |
California Institute of the Arts International Student Admissions
As cited by the university website, one out of every five students in the institute is from a different nation. Plus, many faculties teaching in all schools of the university are also international. International students and teachers at the California Institute of the Arts represent nearly around 50 different countries. The following are the admission process, and requirements for international students.
Application Portal: online portal.
Application Fee: The application fee for every international student at the California Institute of the Arts is 65 USD (undergraduate) and 85 USD (graduate). The application fee for an undergraduate applicant applying after the preferred deadline is 85 USD.
Admission Requirements:
- Submission of complete application with portfolio
- International Academic Transcripts
- Letter of recommendation
- English language proficiency results. (IELTS, TOEFL)
- Copy of passport’s front page
Applicants can access the official website, complete their applications, and attach the requirements electronically. International applicants from Bulgaria, Columbia, Cuba, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Palestine and Russia need to mail the hard copies of the transcripts.
For Applicants from India, an Indian three-year bachelor’s degree equivalent to a bachelor's degree from the US if the degree was earned under first division and the university is accredited by NCAA under an “A” grade is acceptable. The minimum requirement for admission is a final or provisional degree certificate and an annual statement of marks.
English Proficiency Test Scores
The language proficiency tests that are accepted by the California Institute of the Arts are Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Pearson English Language Test (PTE) and the Duolingo English Test. The applicant’s scores must fall under the category of scores mentioned below, to clear the admission eligibility criteria.
US Visa for International Students
Right after the applicant gets admission into the institute, the student shall receive the instructions for completing the declaration of finances form. This form is essential to complete so the I-20 form can be filled further. The submission of the SEVIS fee and the I-20 form is essential, to begin with, the process of applying for a student Visa to Study in the USA. The following documents shall be required by the US embassy at the time of Visa appointment:
- Valid Passport
- Receipt of I-901 fee payment
- Original I-20
- Proof of Health Insurance form
- Current United States Address & Contact Number
Any visa or application related inquiries/queries can doubtlessly be solved by the admission desk of the Naval Postgraduate School ([email protected])
California Institute of the Arts Undergraduate Admissions
The Institute accepts applications of undergraduate applicants if they exhibit the following criteria.
Application Portal: Applicants can apply online on the official website of California institute of Arts.
Application Fee: The application fee for the international undergraduate applicant is 65 USD (if applied before or on the preferred deadline).
Application Requirements:
- Completed application form
- Official transcripts should be sent to the university through any electronic credentialing service like Naviance, Parchment, etc.
- Artist Statement
- Portfolio and audition for courses requiring them
- GED scores or CHSPE scores
- Graduation from an accredited secondary school
- Two letters of recommendation and one of them should be written by a person who is well versed with the applicant’s artistic work
- Declaration of finances
California Institute of the Arts Graduate Admissions
The admission’s eligibility criteria for graduate applicants do not differ a lot from undergraduate applicants. Although, there are minor details in the application process and requirements which are different in both the cases. The Institute accepts applications of graduate applicants if they exhibit the following criteria:
| Requirements | MFA in Art | MA in Aesthetics and Politics | MFA in Choreography |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official transcripts | Required | Required | Required |
| Artistic statement | Required (500-1000 words) | Required | Required |
| Letter of recommendation | Required (2 letters) | Required (2 letters) | Required (3 letters) |
| Language proficiency test scores | Required | Required | Required |
| Portfolio requirements | 20 images of recent work. | Writing sample of up to 20 pages | Three complete works including a minimum of one example of group choreography, and one example of documentation of a live performance. |
| Interview | On invitation | Not required | Required |
International applications seeking to study in the US are examined based on preferred and regular deadlines. The applicants applying before the preferred deadline date are given primary priority. Whereas, applications submitted after the preferred deadline dates are given the secondary priority.
Students applying online may submit their fee with a credit card or send a check/money order. Applications without payment will not be processed. Fee waivers are not granted to MFA applicants or international applicants. For language scores, the TOEFL Code is 4049 and must be sent directly via the testing agency.
FAQs
Ques. Who should write my letters of recommendations to be submitted at California Institute of Arts?
Ans. Collaborators, academic teachers, mentors, art teachers, project leaders, employers, or college counselors can write your letters of recommendation for submission at California Institute of Arts.
Ques. What is an artistic statement according to the California Institute of Arts?
Ans. Artistic statement includes your views and opinion on why you are interested in studying the given course in the California institute of Arts. It displays your creative thoughts.
Ques. Are international students eligible for financial aids at California Institute of Arts?
Ans. All the financial aid atCalifornia Institute of Arts is available only to U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents only. International applicants can apply for institutional funds like scholarships and grants.
Ques. Where should the applicants send in the documents and scores as well as all the other papers and documents required for admissions?
Ans. The students can use the electronic form to send all the documents to the University and can be mailed through any credentialing service like Naviance, Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, Scribbles, etc.
Ques. What kind of employment opportunities does the University provide?
Ans. The University offers employment opportunities through the Career services, Entertainmentcareers.net, Gamasutra, ShowBiz Jobs, and a lot many.
Ques. Is there any helpdesk or source through which the University can be contacted in case of queries?
Ans. Yes, the University can be contacted through [email protected] or can also contact through the telephone on 800-545-2787.
Placements & Recruiters
California Institute of the Arts Placement Details
California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.
Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Valencia, California, United States.
Recruiters
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Salary Metrics
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Placement Metric
Average Package
N/A
Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.
Placement information is currently limited.
More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.
Rankings over the years
Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.
2018
Highlights
2018
2018
- Design: #9 in country
- Top source: QS
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Design
- 1 ranking record in 2018
2019
Highlights
2019
2019
- Best overall country rank: #336
- Design: #9 in country
- Top source: QS
- 2 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Design, Overall
- 2 ranking records in 2019
2020
Highlights
2020
2020
- Performing Arts: #13 in country
- Top source: QS
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Performing Arts
- 1 ranking record in 2020
2024
Highlights
2024
2024
- Design: #10 in country
- Top source: QS
- 3 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Performing Arts, Arts
- 1 ranking record in 2024
2025
Highlights
2025
2025
- Fine Arts: #4 in country
- Top source: US News
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Fine Arts
- 1 ranking record in 2025
Contact Information
24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia, California 91355
+1-661-255-1050