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California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, CA·Private·https://www.calarts.edu/

Campus Identity

Greek LifePhD Programs

California Institute of the Arts is a small private nonprofit university in Valencia, CA. Approximately 860 students are enrolled. Admissions are selective with a 32% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 26 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 50 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 59/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

California Institute of the Arts is a small private nonprofit university in Valencia, CA. Approximately 860 students are enrolled. Admissions are selective with a 32% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 26 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 50 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 59/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

32%
Acceptance Rate
2,004 applications
Test Optional
Test Policy
No test scores required
$58,996
2024-25 Tuition
$46,080
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$14,134
Room & Board
17 meals/week
860
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
28%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
67%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity32% · Moderate
Highly SelectiveOpen

This school does not require standardized test scores for admission. SAT and ACT submissions are optional.

Campus Lifestyle

California Institute of the Arts is a 1,000–4,999, suburban school with an active Greek scene. The campus is 26 miles from Santa Monica Beach, CA and 37 miles from Mt. Waterman Ski Lift, LLC.

Greek Life

Active Organizations

Fraternities & sororities present

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Suburban setting

Beach Access

26 miles

Santa Monica Beach, CA

Weather

Warm Climate

62°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

California Institute of the Arts students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Mt. Waterman Ski Lift, LLC, 37 miles away. All are within 55 miles of campus.

37 mi away
50 mi away
290 skiable acres14 lifts
55 mi away
800 skiable acres4 lifts

Nearest Beach

Students at California Institute of the Arts are 26 miles from Santa Monica Beach, CA.

Santa Monica Beach, CA

Ocean access within 26.1 miles

26 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Valencia, CA

Valencia has a warm climate, with winters averaging 53°F in Dec and summers peaking around 80°F in Aug.

55°Jan55°Feb59°Mar61°Apr67°May72°Jun79°Jul80°Aug77°Sep69°Oct60°Nov53°Dec

Station: NEWHALL 5 NW · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

California Institute of the Arts in CA earns a composite safety score of 59/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

59/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety437870
43/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
78/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
70/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$58,996
Fees
$616
Room & Board
$14,134
Total
$73,746
App Fee: $65
Meal Plan: 17 meals/week
$46,080avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

24 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

MusicBachelor's
43 grads/yr$40,294
MusicMaster's
40 grads/yr$29,494
Film/Video and Photographic ArtsMaster's
38 grads/yr$56,207
Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftBachelor's
36 grads/yr$41,192
Graphic CommunicationsBachelor's
35 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Master's19 grads$57,920
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
Master's38 grads$56,207
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Bachelor's36 grads$41,192
Music
Bachelor's43 grads$40,294
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
Master's20 grads$34,026
Music
Master's40 grads$29,494
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
Bachelor's28 grads$29,426
Fine and Studio Arts
Bachelor's19 grads$28,617
Fine and Studio Arts
Master's25 grads$24,720
Graphic Communications
Bachelor's35 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is California Institute of the Arts located?

California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA. The main campus address is 24700 W McBean Pky, Valencia, CA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at California Institute of the Arts?

California Institute of the Arts has an acceptance rate of 32%, making it selective. Out of 2,004 applicants, 648 were admitted in the most recent year. 860 students enrolled.

How much does it cost to attend California Institute of the Arts?

For the 2024-25 academic year, California Institute of the Arts charges $58,996/year in tuition. Including room and board ($14,134/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $53,466/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $46,080/year — what students actually pay. Use California Institute of the Arts's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for California Institute of the Arts?

The undergraduate application fee at California Institute of the Arts is $65. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Is California Institute of the Arts the right fit for me?

Whether California Institute of the Arts is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (32% admit rate), avg net price ($46,080/year after aid), campus culture in Valencia, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh California Institute of the Arts against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with California Institute of the Arts directly for the most current information.

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Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Valencia, CA
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
School Year Weather
Warm · 62°F avg
App Fee
$65
On Campus Safety Score
59/100
Nearest Airport
Van Nuys, CA (VNY) · 13 mialso BUR (18 mi), SMO (27 mi)

Location

Valencia, CA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.