The 2025 tuition & fees of California Institute of the Arts is $58,996 and the 2025 graduate school tuition & fees is $58,996. Its undergraduate tuition & fees is much higher than the average tuition for Master's College and University (medium programs)' tuition of $26,614.
Based on the last year increase rate, The 2026 estimated tuition & fees at CalArts is $61,359 for California residents and $61,359 for out-of-state students, a 4.0% increase compared to 2025's rate.
| Year | Tuition & Fees | Master's College And University (medium Programs)' Average |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | $56,724 | $25,932 |
| 2024-2025 | $58,996 | $26,614 |
| Change % 2024-2025 | 4.01% | 2.63% |
| 2025-2026 Estimate | $61,359 | $27,313 |
The living costs at CalArts is $21,288 when living on campus. The on-campus living costs increased by 8.36% compared to the previous year. The off-campus living costs increased by 7.81%.
The CalArts's 2025 COA is $81,346 for on-campus living and off-campus COA is $89,863.
91% of enrolled students have received grants or scholarships, and the average aid amount is $28,420. It could cover 48.17% of the full tuition amount.
After receiving the financial aid, the net price is $52,926.
| On-Campus | Off-Campus | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $58,996 | |
| Room & Board | $14,134 | $20,500 |
| Personal Expenses | $7,154 | $9,305 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,062 | |
| COA | $81,346 | $89,863 |
| COA with Financial Aid | $52,926 | $61,443 |
CalArts's 4-years tuition is $241,719, based on current tuition and change rate.
Since the tuition & fees at California Institute of the Arts have risen very slightly (very lower than national average) over the last 4 years, the actual costs may differ from the estimation based on the school or University system's new tuition policy.
| Admission Year | Freshmen | Sophomore | Junior | Senior | 4 Years Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2029 | Fall 2025 | $59,564 | $60,137 | $60,716 | $61,301 | $241,719 |
| Class of 2030 | Fall 2026 | $60,137 | $60,716 | $61,301 | $61,891 | $244,046 |
| Class of 2031 | Fall 2027 | $60,716 | $61,301 | $61,891 | $62,487 | $246,396 |
| Class of 2032 | Fall 2028 | $61,301 | $61,891 | $62,487 | $63,089 | $248,768 |
| Class of 2033 | Fall 2029 | $61,891 | $62,487 | $63,089 | $63,696 | $251,163 |
Based on recent tuition increase rate, for the students who were admitted in Fall 2025, the estimated 4-years COA is $335,623.
| Admission Year | Freshmen | Sophomore | Junior | Senior | 4 Years Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2029 | Fall 2025 | $82,356 | $83,379 | $84,418 | $85,471 | $335,623 |
| Class of 2030 | Fall 2026 | $83,379 | $84,418 | $85,471 | $86,539 | $339,806 |
| Class of 2031 | Fall 2027 | $84,418 | $85,471 | $86,539 | $87,622 | $344,049 |
| Class of 2032 | Fall 2028 | $85,471 | $86,539 | $87,622 | $88,721 | $348,352 |
| Class of 2033 | Fall 2029 | $86,539 | $87,622 | $88,721 | $89,835 | $352,717 |
After receiving the financial aid, the net price for 4 years of attending the school is $221,943.
| Admission Year | Freshmen | Sophomore | Junior | Senior | 4 Years Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2029 | Fall 2025 | $53,936 | $54,959 | $55,998 | $57,051 | $221,943 |
| Class of 2030 | Fall 2026 | $54,959 | $55,998 | $57,051 | $58,119 | $226,126 |
| Class of 2031 | Fall 2027 | $55,998 | $57,051 | $58,119 | $59,202 | $230,369 |
| Class of 2032 | Fall 2028 | $57,051 | $58,119 | $59,202 | $60,301 | $234,672 |
| Class of 2033 | Fall 2029 | $58,119 | $59,202 | $60,301 | $61,415 | $239,037 |
The graduate school tuition at California Institute of the Arts is $58,996. Detailed graduate program tuition and majors can be found at CalArts graduate program page.
| Year | Gradaute Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | $41,790 |
| 2024-2025 | $58,996 |
| Change % 2024-2025 | 41.17% |
| 2025-2026 | $83,286 |
For part-time and/or full-time students who take additional credits at CalArts is $1,877. The graduate tuition per credit hour is $1,943.
| Year | Tuition Per Credit Hour | |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 2023-2024 | $1,815 |
| 2024-2025 | $1,877 | |
| 2025-2026 (Estimate) | $1,941 | |
| Graduate | 2023-2024 | $1,714 |
| 2024-2025 | $1,943 | |
| 2025-2026 (Estimate) | $2,203 |
The following charts visualize tuition, fees, living costs, and other expenses at CalArts. You can enlarge the chart to view detailed information.
The following table compares tuition & fees between California Institute of the Arts and its similar schools.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| California Institute of the Arts | $58,996 | |
| University of Southern California | $71,647 | |
| University of the People | $1,200 | |
| National University | $13,284 | |
| Stanford University | $65,910 | |
| California Baptist University | $41,228 | |
The projected 4-year cost for a degree is approximately $335,623. The tuition and fees are around $61,301 per year, totaling about $241,719 over four years.
The undergraduate tuition at CalArts is much higher than the average for similar schools ($32,981 - private (not-for-profit) Master's College and University (medium programs)).
The graduate tuition at CalArts is much higher than the average for similar schools ($16,456 - private (not-for-profit) Master's College and University (medium programs)).
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