California Institute of the Arts Admission Requirements and Statistics

[updated for 2024-2025 admission data]

How hard is CalArts to get into?

This page provides the latest information on California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)'s admission process, acceptance rate, and student profile. CalArts's acceptance rate is 32.34% for 2024-2025 admission. A total of 2,004 students applied and 648 were admitted to the school. Its acceptance rate is relatively low, making it somewhat difficult to get into CalArts.

To apply to CalArts, recommendations and personal statement (or essay) are required to submit. The SAT and ACT score is not considered for admission at California Institute of the Arts.

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Admission Statistics

For the academic year 2024-25, CalArts's acceptance rate is 32.34% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 27.93%. 570 men and 1,235 women applied to CalArts and 186 men and 398 women students were accepted.

196 applicants who has another gender applied and 63 were accepted.1 accepted students' gender is unknown.

Among them, 45 men and 109 women were enrolled in CalArts. You can explore the CalArts's admission rates and SAT score trends over the past decade, including year-by-year data and analysis, by visiting Admission Trends page.

Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics at CalArts
TotalMenWomenAnother GenderGender Unknown
Applicants2,0045701,2351963
Admitted648186398631
Enrolled18145109270
Acceptance Rate 32.34%32.63%32.23%32.14%33.33%
Yield 27.93%24.19%27.39%42.86%0.00%

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

California Institute of the Arts 2025 Acceptance Rate By Gender chart

Application Requirements

It requires to submit High School Record (or Transcript), Recommendations, Formal Demonstration of Competencies, English Proficiency Test, and Personal statement or essay to its applicants.

The SAT and ACT test score is not considered in admission process at CalArts. The english proficiency test is required .

The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply California Institute of the Arts.

For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .

CalArts Admission Requirements
High School GPAConsidered, if submitted
High School RankConsidered, if submitted
High School Record (or Transcript)Required
Completion of College Preparatory ProgramConsidered, if submitted
RecommendationsRequired
Formal Demonstration of CompetenciesRequired
SAT / ACTNot Considered
English Proficiency TestRequired
Other Test (Wonderlic,WISC-III,etc)Not Considered
Work experienceNot Considered
Personal statement or essayRequired
Legacy statusNot Considered

General Admissions Information

The following provides general admission information for applying to CalArts:

  • Open Admission Policy: No
  • Undergraduate Application Fees: -
  • Graduate Application Fees: -
  • Admission Information: https://calarts.edu/admissions
  • Online Application: https://calarts.edu/admissions/apply/
  • Calendar System: Semester
  • Course for High School Students: Not Offered
  • Credits Accepted: Advanced placement (AP) Credits
  • Degree Offered: Bachelor, Master, Doctoral (Research)

CalArts Admission Frequently Asked Questions

CalArts is moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of 32.34%.
CalArts does not require or recommend SAT or ACT scores for admission. However, some programs may have different requirements.
Yes, CalArts requires applicants to submit a personal essay or statement as part of the application.
Yes, CalArts requires applicants to submit a recommendation letter as part of the application.
CalArts does not require an application fee for undergraduate or graduate admission.
Yes, CalArts requires applicants to submit high school record or transcript as part of the admission process.
Yes, CalArts requires international applicants to submit an English proficiency test (like TOEFL or IELTS) as part of the application.

The institutional SAT code for CalArts is 4049 and 4-digit ACT code is 0181.

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