California Institute of the Arts
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California Institute of the Arts (CalArts): Rankings, Cost, Programs, Placements

  • Private University
  • Institute Icon60 acre campus
  • Estd. 1961
Talk to Expert IconTalk to Expert
Dark Clock Icon Last updated on 15 Jan '25

CalArts
What's new?

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The CalArts admissions for the current year has closed for international students. The applications for the next intake year will start in during Mid Aug 2025.

CalArts Overview
Table of content
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  • About CalArts
  • Popular Programs 2024
  • CalArts Popular Courses
  • CalArts Scholarships
  • CalArts Admission Dates
  • + 5 more items

About CalArts

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Year of establishment
1961
University website
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Student website
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Total foreign students
176
Campus size
60 acres
No. of campus
1
Endowment value
USD 165 million
Scholarships granted
531
Scholarship amount granted
USD 11 million
English proficiency test
Required
Accepted exams
SAT/ACT accepted
Not required
Total faculty
150
Faculty/Student ratio
7
Male/Female ratio
1.32
Total criminal offences
10
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
On Highlights
Q:   Is it hard to get into California Institute of the Arts?
A: 

The California Institute of the Arts is one of the most prestigious institutions for arts and design in the United States. CalArts attracts hundreds of thousands of students every year from across the United States and around the world. As per the US News and World Report, California Institute of the Arts acceptance rate is 29%. This shows that CalArts is highly selective for admissions. Please note that, the data on the acceptance rate mentioned above is taken from an unofficial source, therefore, it is subject to vary.  

Q:   How much is the CalArts application fee?
A: 

International students can apply online to various courses at the California Institute of the Arts. International students applying online may submit the application fee with a credit card or send a check/money order. International applications received without application fees will not be processed or reviewed by the California Institute of the Arts. Check below the application fees at CalArts

DeadlineApplication Fees
Preferred Deadline of Dec 1, 2023USD 65
Regular Deadline of Jan 5, 2024USD 85

CalArts Popular Courses

MFA
M.A.
BFA

₹47 L

CalArts
CalArts Scholarships

CalArts Admission Dates

  • Application fees :No Fees
  • Type of deadline :Depends on course
Document IconDocuments
Type of documentsApplicable for
SOPNot required
LORNeeded for few courses
EssaysNot required
CVNot required
Additional documentsRequired
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Admission details of all coursesRight Arrow Icon
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Commonly asked questions
On Admissions
Q:   What is the application deadline for CalArts?
A: 

The California Institute of the Arts takes admissions in two intakes the Fall season and the Spring season. The applications for the Fall 2024 are now closed. Application dates for the upcoming Spring season are yet to be released by CalArts. The last date to apply for the Fall 2024 was Jan 5, 2024. However, for certain programs CalArts is still accepting applications. The California Institute of the Arts takes admissions on rolling basis untill all the seats are filled. Therefore, international students should check the university's website for admission deadlines for their program. 

Q:   How to apply at the California Institute of the Arts as an international student?
A: 

International students can apply online for a variety of programs at the California Institute of the Arts via CalArts's application portal. Check below the step-wise application process for California Institute of the Arts:

  • Step 1 - Create an Application Account
  • Step 2 - Choose Programs of Study and CalArts Schools
  • Step 3 - Plan Application Timeline 
  • Step 4 - Start an Application
  • Step 5 - Research Audition and/or Portfolio + Artist Statement
  • Step 6 - Research Financial Aid 
  • Step 7 - Request Required Materials
  • Step 8 - Complete & Submit Your Application
  • Step 9 - Check Application Status

 

CalArts Fees & Eligibility 2024

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Courses1st Year Tuition FeesDuration & Eligibility
MFA(1 course)
Duration2 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 100 & Above, PTE: 63 & Above
M.A.(2 courses)
INR 40 L - 50 LGet Fee Details
Duration1 year-2 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 100 & Above, PTE: 63 & Above
BFA(1 course)
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE: 53 & Above
Read more
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
On Fees and Eligibility
Q:   How to get into California Institute of the Arts?
A: 

The California Institute of the Arts offers many courses at the undergradaute and postgraduate levels. To get into CalArts international students need to meet the minimum eligibility for their program. The minimum admission requirements at California Institute of the Arts vary from course to course. Therefore, international students should check the minimum admission requirements before applying at CalArts. Check below the general admission requirements for international students

  • Upload portfolio/plan your audition
  • Academic transcripts showing all academic work
  • Two letters of recommendations
  • SAT/GRE
  • English target="_blank" rel="noopener">ACT
  • GRE
  • English language proficiency test

 

Q:   What are the English language requirements for international students at California Institute of the Arts?
A: 

The language of instruction at the California Institute of the Arts is English. Therefore, international applicants with a native language other than English are required to demonstrate their proficiency in the English language. The minimum English language requirement at CalArts vary from program. Check below the minimum English language requirement for international students

ExamMinimum Score (for BFA)Minimum Score (for MA, MFA, DMA)
TOEFL80100
TOEFL80100
PTE 5363
DET105120

  







CalArts
College comparison

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Compare CalArts with other similar colleges

MFA
M.A.
BFA
College1st Year Tuition FeesRanking
INR 46.56 L -/-
INR 13.24 L -/-
INR 19.09 L#152 US News, 2025
INR 19.43 L - 20.58 L#231 US News, 2025
INR 24.71 L -/-
INR 13.69 L -/-
The values are of the latest years available with Shiksha. For more details, check detailed comparison
View comparisonsRight Arrow Icon

CalArts
Student profile

Quick university statsInsights on student demographics, enrolment, and academic success
UG Race

Others

72%

Hispanic

14%

Asian

9%

Black

4%

UG Student residence

Out of state

40%

In state

31%

Foreign

28%

UG Applicant Icon

UG Number of Applicant

2120
grad RateIcon

Overall Graduation Rate

0.64

CalArts
Studying in USA

Key Facts About USA

Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Education in USA
school Key Fact Icon
963+
backpack Key Fact Icon
3.38L
cashRegister Key Fact Icon
20 hours per week
cashRegister Key Fact Icon
12 months
Country stats
mapPin Key Fact Icon
Washington D.C.
keyUsers Key Fact Icon
334.23M (2023)
chartMixed Key Fact Icon
2%
letterA Key Fact Icon
English
Weather
June
CF
Popular LocationsMinMax
Boston1525
New York1827
Chicago1725
Los Angeles1726
Explore popular study abroad destinations

CalArts Notable Alumni

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Commonly asked questions
On Alumni
Q:   Who are the popular alumni of California Institute of the Arts?
A: 

Some of the notable alumni of the CalArts are given below:

AlumniBest Known for
Tim BurtonAmerican director, producer, writer, and animator
Alison BrieAmerican actress, writer, and producer
Ed HarrisAmerican actor and filmmaker
Katey SagalAmerican actress and singer
David HasselhoffAmerican actor, singer, and television personality
qna

Comments

qna

CalArts

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 3 months ago

California Institute of the Arts MFA fees is INR 47 L for first-year. CalArts School of Art offers Master in Fine Arts degree programme and the duration of the course is 2 years. The table below includes complete first-year cost of studing MFA at the institute with other expenses:

Fees componentsAmount (for 1 year)
Tuition & feesINR 47,41,179
Hostel & MealsINR 12,58,015
InsuranceINR 2,41,675
TransportationINR 1,74,180
Total approximate feesINR 64,15,049

A

Aayushi Sharma

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 months ago

California Institute of the Arts BFA is a 4 year bachelor's degree available for international students. The tuition fees of the course at the institute is INR 51 L for first-year. School of Art at CalArts offers Bachelor in Fine Arts and applicants need to meet the entry requirements to study the c

...Read more

S

Shiksha Jain

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 months ago

California Institute of the Arts ranks under the top 100 MFA universities in the world by QS in 2024 and #15 in the USA by Shiksha Popularity Ranking. Therefore, it's a good choice to study MFA in USA at the institute for international students. Mentioned below are the general entry requirements for

...Read more

P

Piyush Kaur

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 months ago

Mentioned below are the California Institute of the Arts requirements for BFA admission:

  • Complete high school level degree.
  • Meet the English language requirements.
  • The SAT or ACT is optional as a part of your application.
  • Submit two letters of recommendation
  • A 30-to 90-second video introduction

Check belo

...Read more

S

Saakshi Majumder

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 months ago

Mentioned below are the California Institute of the Arts admission requirements for international students:

UG Admission requirements:

  • Complete a three-year bachelor's degree.
  • A bachelor's degree from university accredited by the NAAC with a grade of “A”.
  • Meet the English language requirements.
  • GRE is op

...Read more

N

Neha Karan

Contributor-Level 7

About the author

author image
Kanishk Aggarwal

Study Abroad Expert

Kanishk Aggarwal is a content writer at Shiksha.com, creating content for universities abroad. Having pursued an M.Sc. in Forensic Science from GD Goenka University, Gurugram, he has been creating content across diverse domains. When not guiding stud...Read Full Bio
CalArts Others(1)California Institute of the Arts Front
CalArts Others(2)CalArts Front
CalArts Others(3)Main Building
CalArts Others(1)
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CalArts
Location

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University CityLos Angeles, California, USA
Size of cityLarge
Population of City39,99,759

CalArts
Campuses

Departments Icon1   Campuses
CalArts CampusUp Arrow Icon
Address

24700 McBean Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355, United States

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CalArts
Contact Information

Address

24700 McBean Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355, United States
Los Angeles ( California)

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