California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, California · Private Nonprofit · 32.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 25/100 · Poor Value
California Institute of the Arts scores 25 (Poor Value) — a very low result driven primarily by a 52.3-year payback period, meaning the median graduate will never earn back the cost of attendance on the Scorecard's earnings model. Median 6-year earnings of $34,200 against a net price of $46,080 and a total 4-year cost of $184,320 produce an unsustainable financial equation for most students. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.731 means graduates owe nearly three-quarters of annual earnings in student loans, on top of potential family contributions. The 66.7% completion rate is a bright spot relative to other arts schools. CalArts produces recognized artistic talent in animation, film, theatre, and music, and its alumni network is genuinely influential in the creative industries — but the Scorecard financial data reflects reality: most creative graduates earn modest wages, especially in the first decade after graduation.
The data raises concerns about California Institute of the Arts
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score25/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period>50 years - Graduates earn at or near the level of high school completers — the cost may not recoup within a working career.
California Institute of the Arts
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $58,996/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $58,996/yr |
| Average net price | $46,080/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $184,320 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,198 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $34,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $265 |
| Estimated payback period | >50 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 66.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 860 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at California Institute of the Arts is $58,996/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $46,080/year, or roughly $184,320 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $26,686/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $58,873/year.
The median graduate leaves with $25,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $265 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $41,198 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.73 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $26,686 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $40,899 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $51,847 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $38,627 |
| $110,001+ | $58,873 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $26,686 net per year — about $107,000 over four years — which is exceptional for a low-income family at any institution. Even with financial aid, low-income CalArts students face extreme financial risk given the earnings outcomes. The 24.2% Pell rate means CalArts does enroll a significant number of low-income students who will graduate into difficult financial situations.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $51,847 net per year — the highest net price of any income bracket. This is a data anomaly that suggests CalArts' aid model effectively provides more aid to low-income and high-income families than to middle-income ones. Middle-income families bear the highest cost here.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $58,873 net per year — approximately $235,000 over four years. Families paying full or near-full price for CalArts should understand they are funding an arts education whose financial returns, per the Scorecard data, are among the lowest of any institution profiled on this site.
Earnings by Major
Top 4 most popular majors at California Institute of the Arts with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Music | $40,294 | F |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $41,192 | F |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $29,426 | D |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $28,617 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Fine and Studio Arts
Fine and Studio Arts (19 graduates) earns $28,617 at year four (no year-one data) with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.943 (ROI grade D) and $27,000 median debt. Studio arts graduates at CalArts enter a competitive LA art market. The $28,617 four-year earnings figure is low and the debt load is high. A degree from CalArts carries prestige in fine art circles, but the financial return is poor by the Scorecard data.
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
Film/Video (28 graduates) earns $28,247 at year one and $29,426 at year four — essentially flat earnings growth in the first several years — with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.956 (ROI grade D) and $27,000 median debt. CalArts film program has notable alumni in animation and avant-garde film, but the Scorecard reflects that most film graduates earn near-poverty wages for years post-graduation. The LA entertainment industry is highly competitive and the earnings ceiling is very uneven.
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Drama/Theatre (36 graduates) earns $22,673 at year one with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.191 (ROI grade F) and $27,000 median debt. Theatre graduates owe more than a full year's income at graduation. Most working theatre professionals supplement stage income with other employment for years. The financial case for this program is among the weakest in this dataset.
Music
Music (43 graduates) earns $18,896 at year one with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.224 (ROI grade F) and $23,125 median debt. Year-one earnings near $19k is one of the lowest in the dataset for any program. Music performance and composition graduates at CalArts — like most conservatory graduates — face years of very low wages as they build careers. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.224 means graduates immediately owe more than a year's salary.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 64.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 67.9% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 66.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 70.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 32.3% |
| Enrollment | 860 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 24.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,095 |
A 32.3% acceptance rate with no SAT/ACT data reported in the Scorecard means CalArts screens primarily on portfolio and artistic merit. The admissions process is portfolio-driven — academic credentials are secondary to demonstrated creative work. Applicants who clear the artistic bar should carefully model the financial implications before committing.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
CalArts' listed peers include Art Center College of Design and Azusa Pacific University. Art Center College of Design is a more direct peer — another selective California art/design school — and generally carries stronger design-field earnings outcomes. CalArts' ROI score of 25 is one of the lowest on this site and reflects the fundamental mismatch between a $59,000 tuition and earnings outcomes in the creative industries. Students considering CalArts should evaluate it against Art Center, RISD, and the entertainment industry union wage data, not against general university ROI benchmarks.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Institute of the Arts (this school) | 25 | $46,080 | $41,198 |
| Azusa Pacific University | 71 | $22,212 | $66,677 |
| Art Center College of Design | 56 | $48,661 | $71,958 |
| Mary Baldwin University | 25 | $12,756 | $44,427 |
| Be'er Yaakov Talmudic Seminary | 25 | $4,543 | $17,360 |
| Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies | 24 | $10,566 | $40,694 |
Who Thrives Here
CalArts admits 32.3% of applicants, making it meaningfully selective in the arts school space. The 860-student enrollment is very small and highly specialized. The 24.2% Pell rate indicates CalArts serves a mixed-income population pursuing professional arts training. This school fits students who have already decided on a specific creative career, have evaluated CalArts' specific alumni outcomes in their discipline, understand the financial risk, and have a plan for managing debt on the income levels CalArts graduates typically earn. It does not fit students making a general arts interest into a major at an expensive institution.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about California Institute of the Arts. With a net cost of $46,080 per year and median graduate earnings of only $41,198 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds >50 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $25,000 against $41,198 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.