Paying for California Institute of the Arts

UndergraduateGraduate
2024 Tuition & Fee $56,724 3.03% $41,790 -24.10%
The 2024 tuition & fees of California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) is $56,724 for prospective students and the 2024 graduate school tuition & fees is $41,790. Its undergraduate tuition & fees is much higher than the average amount for similar schools' tuition of $33,160.
55% of enrolled undergraduate students have received grants or scholarships and the average aid amount is $20,801. It could cover 36.67% of full tuition amount. After receiving the financial aid, the net price is $56,507 including tuition, fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs.
CalArts's 4-year tuition is $235,159, based on current tuition and change rate. The estimated 4-year COA including living costs and personal expenses is $315,316.
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Tuition, Fees, Living Costs, and Cost of Attendance (COA)

Undergraduate Program Tuition & Fees

For the academic year 2023-2024, the undergraduate tuition & fees at California Institute of the Arts is $56,724. The 2024 undergraduate tuition has been risen by 3.03% compared to the previous year. Its undergraduate tuition & fees is much higher than the average amount for similar schools' tuition of $33,160.
The 2025 estimated undergraduate tuition & fees is $58,443 , a 3.0% increase compared to 2024's rate.
CalArts Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
YearTuition & FeesOn Campus Room & Board, Other Expenses
2022-2023$55,056$21,154
2023-2024$56,724$19,646
Change % 2023-20243.03%-7.13%
2024-2025$58,443$18,246

Graduate Program Tuition & Fees

For graduate programs, 2024 tuition & fees is $41,790. The graduate tuition is same as the last year. Its graduate tuition & fees is much higher than the average amount for similar schools' tuition of $16,163.
The estimated graduate school tuition & fees is $31,721 for the academic year 2024-2025 , a 24.1% decrease compared to 2024's rate.
CalArts Graduate Tuition & Fees
YearTuition & FeesOn Campus Room & Board, Other Expenses
2022-2023$55,056$21,154
2023-2024$41,790$19,646
Change % 2023-2024-24.10%-7.13%
2024-2025$31,721$18,246

Cost Per Credit Hour

The below table describes the cost per credit hour for part-time students and/or full-time students who take additional courses more than regular credit hours at CalArts. The undergraduate cost per credit hour is $1,815. The graduate tuition per credit hour is $1,714.
Per Credit Hour Charge (2023-2024)
YearCost Per Credit Hour
Undergraduate2022-2023$1,815
2023-2024$1,815
2024-2025$1,815
Graduate2022-2023$1,815
2023-2024$1,714
2024-2025$1,619

Cost of Attendance with Living Costs and Books & Supplies

The living costs including for room, board, transpiration, and other personal expenses is $19,646 for year 2024. The on-campus living costs decreased by 7.13% compared to the previous year. The off-campus living costs increased by 5.08% compared to the previous year.
The CalArts's 2024 on-campus COA is $77,308 and off-campus COA is $85,307.
2024 Cost of Attendance (COA) At CalArts
On-CampusOff Campus
Tuition & Fees$56,724
Room & Board$12,820$18,600
Personal Expenses$6,826$9,045
Books & Supplies$938
Cost of Attendance$77,308$85,307
Updated with 2023-2024 tuition (Last update: 03/01/2024)
Cost estimates for 2024-2025 are based on last year's rate of change.

CalArts Tuition Charts

The following charts visualize tuition, fees, living costs, and other expenses at CalArts. You can enlarge the chart to view detailed information.

4-Years Costs of Attendance

How Much is the tuition for 4 years at CalArts?

For the entering class 2024, the estimated tuition for 4 years at CalArts is $235,159.
The estimation excludes the book, supplies, and living costs before receiving any financial aid. See the other tabs for estimating 4-year total costs of attendance and after financial aid. The next table shows the estimated 4-years tuition & fees for the next 5 admission years. The estimation is based on 4-years changes in tuition & fees at the school.
CalArts 4 Years Tuition & Fees Estimates
Admission YearFreshmenSophomoreJuniorSenior4 Years Total
Class of 2028Fall 2024$57,539$58,365$59,203$60,053$235,159
Class of 2029Fall 2025$58,365$59,203$60,053$60,915$238,535
Class of 2030Fall 2026$59,203$60,053$60,915$61,790$241,961
Class of 2031Fall 2027$60,053$60,915$61,790$62,677$245,435
Class of 2032Fall 2028$60,915$61,790$62,677$63,577$248,959

COA including Books, Living Costs and Personal Expenses

The table shows the 4-years estimation of total costs of attendance (COA). It includes the tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, room & board charges, and other living expenses.
For the students who were admitted in Fall 2024, the estimated 4-years COA is $315,316.
CalArts 4 Years COA
Admission YearFreshmenSophomoreJuniorSenior4 Years Total
Class of 2028Fall 2024$77,902$78,511$79,133$79,770$315,316
Class of 2029Fall 2025$78,511$79,133$79,770$80,422$317,835
Class of 2030Fall 2026$79,133$79,770$80,422$81,088$320,412
Class of 2031Fall 2027$79,770$80,422$81,088$81,769$323,048
Class of 2032Fall 2028$80,422$81,088$81,769$82,465$325,742

Actual COA after Receiving Financial Aid

Last year, 55% of enrolled undergraduate students have received grants or scholarship aid. It includes any financial aid from the federal government, state, local, institute, and other sources known by the institution. It excludes federal/private student loans.
After receiving the financial aid, the net price for 4 years of attending the school is $232,112.
CalArts 4 Years COA after Receiving Financial Aid
Admission YearFreshmenSophomoreJuniorSenior4 Years Total
Class of 2028Fall 2024$57,101$57,710$58,332$58,969$232,112
Class of 2029Fall 2025$57,710$58,332$58,969$59,621$234,631
Class of 2030Fall 2026$58,332$58,969$59,621$60,287$237,208
Class of 2031Fall 2027$58,969$59,621$60,287$60,968$239,844
Class of 2032Fall 2028$59,621$60,287$60,968$61,664$242,538

Compare Tuition with Similar Colleges

The following table compares tuition & fees between California Institute of the Arts and its similar schools. The similar schools are based on academic factors such as school type, level, and rivalry schools.
Tuition Comparison with Similar Schools to CalArts
In-StateOut-of-State
California Institute of the Arts$56,724
University of Southern California$68,237
University of the People$1,200
National University$13,320
Stanford University$62,484
Northcentral University$12,594
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