California Institute of the Arts
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California Institute of the Arts Courses & Fees 2025

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International students can apply for California Institute of the Arts admission 2025 in the Fall intake through the official website. They must complete the application by the deadline to study undergraduate and graduate courses. The California Institute of the Arts admission deadline for Fall 2026 is Jan 05, 2026.

California Institute of the Arts Courses & Fees 2026

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Courses1st Year Tuition FeesDuration & Eligibility
MFA(1 course)
Duration2 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 100 & Above, PTE: 63 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above
BFA(1 course)
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE: 53 & Above, Duolingo: 105 & Above
M.A.(2 courses)
INR 42 L - 53 LGet Fee Details
Duration1 year-2 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 100 & Above, PTE: 63 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above
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Commonly asked questions
On Fees and Eligibility
Q:   How much does the California Institute of the Arts cost for international students?
A: 

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

Q:   What is the tuition fee for the California Institute of the Arts per year?
A: 

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:

Courses

1st Year Tuition Fees

MFA

INR 47 L

MA

INR 41 L - 51 L

BFA

INR 51 L

Q:   What are the requirements for the California Institute of the Arts?
A: 

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
Q:   Is California Institute of the Arts hard to get into?
A: 

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.

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California Institute of the Arts Fee Breakdown 2026

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Commonly asked questions
On Fees Breakdown
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
Q:   How much does it cost to live at California Institute of the Arts?
A: 

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 typeRates (per semester)
Single OccupancyUSD 5,392
Double OccupancyUSD 3,698
Triple Occupancy USD 2,786

Ahmanson Hall (Graduate Students Only)

Room TypeRates (per semester)
Private Bedroom in a Shared Apartment SuiteUSD 4,728
Q:   What is the ranking of the California Institute of arts?
A: 

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.

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CalArts

Student Forum

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

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

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Aman Kumar

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 10 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

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Shiksha Jain

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 10 months ago

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:

English Language Test

UG Score

PG Score

IELTS

6.5

7.0

TOEFL iBT

7.0

100

PTE

53

63

Duolingo

105

120

L

Lalit Gulati

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 10 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

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P

Piyush Kaur

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 10 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

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Saakshi Majumder

Contributor-Level 7

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Loveleen Sharma

Study Abroad Expert

Loveleen is a seasoned content writer with 4+ years of experience, currently writing for Shiksha. When he is not writing and helping students, he can be found at the movies, reading fiction, and learning a new language.
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CalArts
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University CityLos Angeles, California, USA
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24700 McBean Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355, United States
Los Angeles ( California)

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