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CalArts Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs
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The students should complete the application by the deadline to study undergraduate and graduate courses. The California Institute of the Arts admission deadline for Fall 2026 is closed.
- California Institute of the Arts Admission Process 2025
- California Institute of the Arts Application Process 2025
- California Institute of the Arts Enrollment Statistics 2025
- California Institute of the Arts Admission 2025 FAQs
California Institute of the Arts Admission Process 2025
One of the country’s leading visual and performing arts colleges, the California Institute of the Arts offers undergraduate and graduate programs in its six colleges. Applicants from all over the world apply for California Institute of the Arts admission using the official website. They can submit an online application in the Fall intake by the CalArts deadline to get admission.
It is slightly difficult to get admission to the institute because of its moderately high acceptance rate. California Institute of the Arts acceptance rate is around 25%, which makes admission competitive. Applicants must have a good academic profile and meet the admission requirements to get admission to the university.
Students can pursue around 4 California Institute of the Arts courses at undergraduate and graduate levels. Some popular courses at the institute are MFA, BFA, and MA for international students. The California Institute of the Arts tuition fees vary from INR 41 L to INR 51 L for the first year. California Arts Institute become the preferred choice among students to study in USA because of its quality education and impressive ranking for programs.
Read the Study Guide to the USA for International Students
California Institute of the Arts Admissions 2025 Highlights
Applicants must complete the California Institute of the Arts application process to get admission to the institute. They can complete the university application quickly or over the course of several months. Students must check the course requirements, deadline, etc., and apply by the deadline along with the California Institute of the Arts application fee. The table below includes the highlights of admission at the institute:
|
Particular |
Stats |
|---|---|
|
Application portal |
apply.calarts.edu/apply |
|
Application fee |
USD 85 or INR 7,410.64 |
|
Acceptance rate |
24.8% |
|
English language tests accepted |
|
|
Standardized tests required |
|
|
International application deadlines |
Jan 05, 2026 (Fall 2026) |
(USD 1 = INR 87.18)
California Institute of the Arts Courses & Fees 2025
There are around 4 California Institute of the Arts courses available at undergraduate and graduate levels. The institute offers comprehensive degree programs across the full range of the visual, performing, media, and literary arts through its six schools. Applicants must meet the California Institute of the Arts IELTS requirements to study at the institute. The table below includes the CalArts graduate courses with admission eligibility:
|
PG Programs |
Academic Qualifications |
English Proficiency Requirements |
Documents Required |
Interview |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 100 & Above, PTE: 63 & Above |
|
Required |
|
|
IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 100 & Above, PTE: 63 & Above |
|
Not Required |
The table below includes the undergraduate courses with California Institute of the Arts admission eligibility:
|
UG Programs |
Academic Qualifications |
English Proficiency Requirements |
Documents Required |
|---|---|---|---|
|
IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE: 53 & Above |
|
Check the Cost of Living in USA for International Students 2025
California Institute of the Arts Fees for International Students 2025
CalArts offers comprehensive degree programs across the full range of the visual, performing, media, and literary arts through its six schools. Students can pursue undergraduate and graduate courses at the institute at an affordable tuition fee. The table below includes the California Institute of the Arts fees for international students:
|
Courses |
1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
|
INR 47 L |
|
|
INR 41 L - 51 L |
|
|
INR 51 L |
Know more about the Cost of Living in the USA for International Students
California Institute of the Arts Application Deadlines 2025
The California Institute of the Arts application deadline for Fall 2026 is Jan 05, 2026. International students must complete the application and submit it by the deadline to get into the university. Applicants can check the table below for California Institute of the Arts deadlines for accepted students:
|
Deadline |
Particular |
|---|---|
|
March 10 |
Housing application opens |
|
March 31 |
DMA enrollment deposit deadline |
|
April 12 |
Accepted student event |
|
April 15 |
MA/MFA enrollment deposit deadline |
|
May 1 |
BFA enrollment deposit deadline |
|
May 9 |
Immunization deadline |
|
June 1 |
Housing application closes DSO Accommodation Housing Application Due |
|
June 1 |
Declaration of Finances (DOF) recommended deadline for international students |
|
June 13 |
Housing assignments released |
|
July 1 |
Tuition statement released |
|
August 1 |
Transcript receipt deadline |
|
August 2 |
New student registration deadline |
|
August 8 |
Tuition payment deadline After this date, accounts will be placed on a registration hold and assessed a USD 200 or INR 17,408.32 late fee |
|
August 27-28 |
International student move-in |
|
August 29 |
International student orientation |
|
August 30 |
Domestic student move-in |
|
September 1-6 |
New student orientation |
|
September 8 |
Fall 2025 semester begins |
|
September 12 |
Classes are dropped for unpaid balances |
|
September 19 |
Fall 2025 final day to add/drop |
|
November 15 |
Deadline for course withdrawal with a “W” on a transcript |
|
December 14 |
Fall 2025 semester classes end |
(USD 1 = INR 87.18)
Know more about the Admission Intakes in US Universities
California Institute of the Arts Visa Documents Required
International students must have a US Student Visa to study at CalArts. The documents listed below are required for submitting a visa application:
- A valid passport with a validity date of at least six months beyond your stay
- A printed copy of DS-160, the online application form
- SEVIS Fee Receipt
- Interview appointment letter (original and copy)
- Form I-20 sent by the college (where you are going to study)
- Visa fee payment confirmation receipt
- Bank statement for at least three years showing that you have enough assets to pay for the first year (could be of parent or guardian)
- Pay/salary slips
- Original mark sheets/provisional certificates
- Score sheet of exams like TOEFL or IELTS as ELP proofs along with either ACT or SAT for UG admissions or GMAT or GRE for PG admissions
- Financial Documents are required to show financial strength to support education in the USA
Read more about the USA Study Visa Requirements for Indian Students
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
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 optional as a part of your application.
PG Admission requirements:
- 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
International students must apply online through the official website to get admission into California Institute of the Arts. They must meet the entry requirements of the programme and submit an online application by the deadline for admission at the institute. Applicants must create an account to start the California Institute of the Arts admission proess. Mentioned below are basic application requirements for international students:
- An online application and a non-refundable application fee of USD 85 or INR 7,410.64
- Personal essay
- High school and/or university transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- Portfolio
- Statement of purpose
- Proof of English proficiency
California Institute of the Arts BFA Admission 2025
California Institute of the Arts BFA is 4 years bachelor's degree for international students. The first-year fees for the course at the institute is INR 51 L. Mentioned below are the steps to apply for California Institute of the Arts BFA admission:
- Start the process of applying to ‘CalArts USA’ by creating an application account through ‘apply.calarts.edu/apply’.
- Select the ‘BFA Course’ from the California Arts Institute courses.
- Check the program-specific deadline and requirements
- Upload all the necessary documents and tests score.
- Complete and submit the application by paying the CalArts application fee.
Eligibility Criteria
- Accepting Exams: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo
Commonly asked questions On BFA Admissions
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 course. The table below includes the California Institute of the Arts BFA fees for first-year:
| Fees components | Amount (for 1 year) |
|---|---|
| Tuition & fees | INR 50,78,914 |
| Hostel & Meals | INR 9,95,787 |
| Insurance | INR 2,31,485 |
| Transportation | INR 1,07,382 |
| Books and supplies | INR 92,490 |
| Other expenses | INR 2,79,820 |
| Student Activity/Student Life Fee | INR 11,322 |
| Technology Fee | INR 47,725 |
| Total approximate fees | INR 68,44,925 |
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 below the list of documents required for CalArts BFA admission:
- Academic transcripts
- IELTS/TOEFL score
- ACT/SAT score (optional)
- LORs
- Video introduction
- Portfolio
California Institute of the Arts MFA Admission 2025
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. International students can pursue an affordable MFA course at the institute and get better job opportunities. The California Institute of the Arts MFA fees is INR 47 L for the first year. Mentioned below are the steps to apply for MFA admission at the institute:
Step 1: Start the process of applying to ‘CalArts USA’ by creating an application account through ‘apply.calarts.edu/apply’.
Step 2: Select the ‘MFA Course’ from the California Arts Institute courses.
Step 3: Check the program-specific deadline and requirements
Step 4: Upload all the necessary documents and tests score.
Step 5: Complete and submit the application by paying the CalArts application fee.
Eligibility Criteria
- Accepting Exams: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo
Commonly asked questions On MFA Admissions
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 California Institute of the Arts MFA admission:
- 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 optional as a part of your application.
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 components | Amount (for 1 year) |
|---|---|
| Tuition & fees | INR 47,41,179 |
| Hostel & Meals | INR 12,58,015 |
| Insurance | INR 2,41,675 |
| Transportation | INR 1,74,180 |
| Total approximate fees | INR 64,15,049 |
California Institute of the Arts Application Process 2025
Applicants must create an online account using the official website to start the California Institute of the Arts application process. CalArts allows students to apply to more than one program by simply starting two applications, one for each of your programs of interest. California Institute of the Arts application fee is required for each application.
Start the process of applying to ‘CalArts USA’ by creating an application account through ‘apply.calarts.edu/apply’.
Select the ‘UG Course’ from the California Arts Institute courses.
Check the program-specific deadline and requirements
Upload all the necessary documents and tests score.
Complete and submit the application by paying the CalArts application fee.
Also read: When to Start Your Application Process to US Universities
Commonly asked questions On Application Process
Indian students must follow the California Institute of the Arts application process to get admission. They must complete the institute online application by the given deadline along with necessary documents. Mentioned below are the steps to apply for undergraduate admission at CalArts:
Step 1: Start the process of applying to 'CalArts USA' by creating an application account through 'apply.calarts.edu/apply'.
Step 2: Select the 'UG Course' from the California Arts Institute courses.
Step 3: Check the programme specific deadline and requirements
Step 4: Upload all the necessary documents and tests score.
Step 5: Complete and submit the application by paying CalArts application fee.
California Institute of the Arts Enrollment Statistics 2025
International students from all around the world apply for the California Institute of the Arts admissions. The institute received around 2,120 applications among which 525 got admission offers. The CalArts acceptance rate in the fall of 2022 was around 24.8%. Mentioned below are the California Institute of the Arts enrollment statistics for 2022:
|
Particular |
Stats 2022 |
|---|---|
|
Total applications |
2,120 |
|
Accepted |
525 |
|
Acceptance rate |
24.8% |
Commonly asked questions On Admission
It may be difficult for international students to get admission into the California Institute of the Arts because of its moderately high acceptance rate. CalArts acceptance rate is around 25%, which makes admission competitive. Applicants must havea good academic profile and submit an online application by the deadline to be eligible for admission at the institute.
International students must submit IELTS score if their native language is not English to get admission at CalArts. The table below includes the minimum IELTS score and other English language test score required for undergraduate and graduate admission at California Institute of the Arts:
California Institute of the Arts Admission 2025 FAQs
California Institute of Arts ranking is #51 in the world for MFA by QS in 2024 and #15 in the USA by Shiksha Popularity Ranking in 2025. As per the QS, California Institute of the Arts ranks at #23 in 2024 for its Art & Design courses. In 2023, this ranking stood at #24. Also, for QS Pharmacy & Pharmacology raking category, California Institute of the Arts ranks at #51 position in 2024.
California Institute of the Arts tuition fees vary from INR 41 L to INR 51 L for the first year. The institute offers affordable undergraduate and graduate programs across visual, performing, media, and literary arts through its six schools. The table below includes the California Institute of the Arts fees in Indian rupees:
The California Institute of the Arts costs vary by tuition fees and living expenses for international students. The estimated cost of attendance is an estimate of a student's educational expenses for the period of enrollment at the institute. Check below the estimated cost of attendance at the institute:
- Undergraduate living on campus cost of attendance 2025-2026 - USD 89,562 or INR 77.83 L (Spring and Fall)
- Undergraduate living off campus cost of attendance 2025-2026 - USD 1,02,901 or INR 89.42 L (Spring and Fall)
- Graduate living on campus cost of attendance 2025-2026 - USD 88,386 or INR 76.80 L (Spring and Fall)
- Graduate living off campus cost of attendance 2025-2026 - USD 93,074 or INR 80.88 L (Spring and Fall)
Check the California Institute of the Arts Cost of Attendance in detail
CalArts
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 5 months ago
The application fee for CalArts (California Institute of the Arts) is a standard part of their admissions process, and it's important to have a clear idea of the cost. For most of their programs, the application fee for a single programme is around eighty-five dollars, which translates to approximat
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a year ago
The Institute takes admissions in two intakes the Fall season and the Spring season. 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 th
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a year ago
Yes, the Institute offers a number of scholarships to students at the UG and PG levels. All admitted international students are considered for Merit Scholarships based on the admissions portfolio or audition. These scholarships are limited and very competitive, going only to the top 30% of the incom
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a year ago
The California Institute of the Arts offers a variety of accommodation options through its two units; Chouinard Hall (for undergraduates only) and Ahmanson Hall ( for graduates only). Please check below the on-campus housing rates at accommodations offered by CalArts.
Chouinard Hall (UG Only)
| Room type | Rates (per semester) |
|---|---|
| Single Occupancy | USD 5,392 |
| Double Occupancy | USD 3,698 |
| Triple Occupancy | USD 2,786 |
Ahmanson
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a year ago
Yes, all residents in the Chouinard Hall are required to enroll in the 10-meal per week plan at a minimum, and this cost will be reflected on the student’s bill. Students may choose to upgrade to a 14, 17 or block meal plan during registration each semester. Check below various meal plans at CalArts
Contributor-Level 10
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CalArts
California Institute of the Arts Front
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Main Building
CalArtsLocation
| University City | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Size of city | Large |
| Population of City | 39,99,759 |
CalArtsContact Information
24700 McBean Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355, United States
Los Angeles ( California)
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