California, United States
Private
University Type
$24,656
Average Living Expenses
The California Institute of the Arts, also known as CalArts, is a top-end private University in Valencia, California, USA. CalArts was the first University in the United States to confer degrees to candidates seeking quality education in the Visual and Performing Arts. CalArts offers 70-plus degree programmes such as Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Musical Arts. The campus hosts more than 1500 students in any given year, out of which roughly 400 come from abroad.
The California Institute of the Arts acceptance rate is 29%.
CalArts was founded by none other than Walt Disney in 1961. It is currently ranked #375 in the Most Popular US Colleges and Universities list for overseas students as per College Factual. Students from more than 30 countries study at CalArts, and around 10 Indian students were pursuing their studies at CalArts in 2019.
Indian students who are willing to take the plunge and join an elite institution to pursue studies in the artistic genre should apply at CalArts without having any second thoughts.
Average tuition fee
High-end
Just fill in your preferences and reach the best loan offer with Loan Finder
Availed education loan
Loan amount approved
Assistance for loan
Living expenses
Average living expenses (Bachelors)
$24,656
Average living expenses (Masters)
$24,656
Avg acceptance rate (Bachelors)
29%
Application Fee
$85
Although specific requirements exist for courses, international students need to present the following:
The following examinations are accepted as part of California Institute of the Arts admission requirements.
|
Admissions |
|
|
For UG and PG |
IELTS ( Minimum scores: 6.5 for UG, 7 for PG) TOEFL (Minimum score: 80 in iBT for UG, 100 in iBT for PG) |
|
For UG |
ACT (Minimum score: 1010) / SAT (Minimum score: 24) |
|
For PG |
Valid Bachelor's degree Minimum GPA 3.34 |
College
Finder
Know universities that fit you best!
Take us through your profile, study preferences, strengths, and weaknesses and we’d find you universities that are tailor made for you, instantly!
Premium Yocketer profiles
Dg Rhythms
ShortlistedMusic - Music Technology
Fall 2025
Aditya Nandy
ShortlistedGraphic Design
Fall 2025
Keerthi A
ShortlistedActing
Spring 2024
Aparna Vijay Kumar
ShortlistedArt
Fall 2024
International Students
% of international students in the university
22
Total International Students in the university
414
The California Institute of the Arts has a well-connected Alumni Network. The Office of Alumnx and Family Engagement at CalArts works consistently to bridge the gap between past and present CalArtians. Notable alumni include John Lassetter, CEO of Pixar Studios, Sofia Coppola, film director and daughter of legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, and Academy Award nominee, actor Ed Harris.
We got a team of 50+ experienced counsellors ready to help you!
Ask, post and discuss!
Have a question? Ask and discuss with your fellow aspirants!
Campus life
Number of campuses the university has
1
CalArts is located in the Valencia neighbourhood, Santa Clarita, Los Angeles County, California. The administration runs a free shuttle bus service for CalArts students. The shuttle service connects the main campus with the Valencia Town Center. Students get to avail this service with a valid ID card.
CalArts engages in various services to enhance the student's overall experience.
CalArts ensures that its students get the best campus life experience during their study years.
CalArts has on-campus housing facilities. Every registered student at CalArts is eligible to avail of accommodation facilities on the campus after fulfilling specific requirements. CalArts helps all its students to find a suitable place through well-documented on-campus housing facilities. The Residence Life Office looks after the basic needs of all the students living on campus. It recommends the first-come,first-serve approach while granting living space for its students.
CalArts has an on-campus housing accommodation system divided into two separate components. The Chouinard Hall takes care of the housing needs of all the undergraduate students. The Ahmanson Hall, on the other hand, caters to the housing requirements of third and fourth undergraduate as well as graduate students.The average housing fee is around USD 900 (INR 69,105) for each semester.
Read More
Faculty Information
University Faculty Stats
The average faculty-to-student ratio at CalArts is 1:7, ranging from 1:6 in the Dance course to 1: 14 in the Critical Studies course. Presided over by Ravi S. Rajan, CalArts has a faculty strength of almost 363, employed full-time and part-time.
Jobs and Opportunities
CalArts inspires its students to develop an inquisitive mind. Even though the University is not research-driven in its academic approach, students graduating from CalArts go on to work for such institutes as the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in the capacity of a researcher.
Internship opportunities at California Institute of the Arts
CalArts provides a host of internship opportunities to its students. The Center for Life and Work at CalArts handles matters related to student internships. All international students are eligible to apply for internship opportunities via the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) module. The faculty members assist students in getting either a paid internship or an unpaid internship. All students are advised by University officials to regularly check the portal Compass@CalArts Job Board, available on the CalArts official website, for a new job and internship avenues. The practice of on-campus hiring is also prevalent at CalArts. While domestic student employees can work 25 hours per week, the limit is 20 hours for international students. During academic breaks, this limit may increase for all students.
Placement of California Institute of the Arts
A CalArts graduate's average cumulative base salary is USD 72,000 (55,28,412 INR) per annum. A Senior Graphic Designer who has passed out from CalArts receives an average pay package of USD 84,973 (INR 65,24,524), whereas a UX Designer gets about USD 85,500 (INR 65,64,989) annually. Similarly, an Art Director earns an average of USD 100,000 (INR 76,78,350); a graphic designer is paid around USD 45,800 (INR 35,16,684). The top companies that hire CalArts graduates regularly would include Business Insider, which spends around USD 67,500 (INR 51,82,886) per annum, Native Instruments, which delivers a compensation amounting to USD 135,000 (INR 1,03,65,772) & Tic Toc, which could pay up to USD 95,000 (INR 72,94,432) to CalArts graduates.
Read More
1. What GPA do you need for CalArts?
The California Institute of the Arts GPA requirement is a minimum of 3.34 on a 4.0 to be eligible for admission.
2. Can I get a scholarship in CalArts?
CalArts provides scholarships to students on a need-basis as well as merit. However, you need to complete the CSS profile to be granted Need-based Endowment scholarships.
3. Is CalArts easy to get into?
CalArts acceptance rate remains at 23%. Hence, it is not easy to get into CalArts.
4. How much does a degree from CalArts cost?
In the 2020-21 session, a course at CalArts cost approximately USD 73,980 (INR 56,80,443).
5. What is CalArts known for?
The California Institute of the Arts is a one-of-a-kind institution specialising in the Arts, Media and Visual Studies, and Theatre and Film studies
