California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, CA · Private nonprofit · Visit Website

California Institute of the Arts, located in Valencia, California, sits roughly 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. As a dedicated arts school, CalArts fosters a creative and experimental atmosphere for students in visual and performing arts. The institute is distinctive for being the first degree-granting higher education institution in the US created specifically for both visual and performing arts.

Programs Analyzed
3
Avg Grad Earnings
$23,272/yr
Avg DegreeOutlook Score
17/100
Tuition (Sticker Price)
$56,724/yr

Financial Aid & Net Price

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships, by family income. 22% of students receive Pell Grants and 34% take federal loans.

Family Income Avg Net Price/yr 4-Year Net Cost Net-Price ROI
$0 – $30K $33,802 $135,208 1.7x
$30K – $48K $37,082 $148,328 1.6x
$48K – $75K $35,788 $143,152 1.6x
$75K – $110K $44,448 $177,792 1.3x
$110K+ $59,106 $236,424 1.0x
Sticker price (no aid) $56,724 $226,896 1.0x

Net price = tuition + fees + room & board minus grants and scholarships. ROI = average 10-year graduate earnings ÷ 4-year net cost. Source: IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey via College Scorecard.

All Programs at California Institute of the Arts

3 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for full AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.

Program DW Score Earnings AI Risk ROI
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
Compare across schools
20 $28,247/yr High 0.2x
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Compare across schools
15 $22,673/yr Moderate 0.6x
Music
Compare across schools
15 $18,896/yr High 0.4x
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Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →