The average acceptance rate at CalArts over the past 10 years is 26.03%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 32.34%. Compared to the previous year, it became much easier to gain admission to CalArts in 2025.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 34.81%, and the 2025 yield is 27.93%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 22.14% from 2015 to 2025.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 32.34%, showing a decreasing selectivity trend. This suggests that CalArts is admitting a higher proportion of applicants, which may indicate either an increase in application quality or a strategic enrollment decision by the institution.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 27.93%. The declining yield trend suggests that a lower percentage of admitted students are choosing to enroll at CalArts. This pattern may reflect increased competition from peer institutions, changing student demographics, or shifts in institutional enrollment strategy.
For the 2025 admission cycle, CalArts received approximately 2,004 applications, admitted 648 students, and enrolled 181 students. The declining application volume may indicate shifts in student interest patterns or broader demographic changes affecting college enrollment. Understanding these trends is crucial for prospective students and families assessing CalArts's position in the competitive admissions landscape.
CalArts 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at CalArts over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 26.03%, while the most recent rate stands at 32.34%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 32.34%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 26.66% and for women is 25.69%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at CalArts have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 24.93% | 25.13% | 24.91% |
| 2016-17 | 23.61% -1.33% |
26.44% 1.31% |
22.05% -2.86% |
| 2017-18 | 24.06% 0.46% |
25.46% -0.98% |
23.03% 0.98% |
| 2018-19 | 22.97% -1.09% |
25.64% 0.18% |
21.41% -1.61% |
| 2019-20 | 25.28% 2.30% |
25.55% -0.09% |
25.13% 3.72% |
| 2020-21 | 27.42% 2.14% |
28.85% 3.30% |
26.66% 1.53% |
| 2021-22 | 29.02% 1.60% |
29.01% 0.17% |
29.02% 2.36% |
| 2022-23 | 24.76% -4.25% |
24.32% -4.69% |
25.21% -3.81% |
| 2023-24 | 25.95% 1.19% |
23.59% -0.73% |
27.21% 2.00% |
| 2024-25 | 32.34% 6.38% |
32.63% 9.04% |
32.23% 5.01% |
| Average | 26.03% | 26.66% | 25.69% |
CalArts has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 35.87% in 2015 to 27.93% in 2025, representing a 22.14% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 34.81%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at CalArts from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 22.14% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 35.87% | 38.50% | 34.52% |
| 2016-17 | 38.65% 2.78% |
45.70% 7.20% |
33.65% -0.87% |
| 2017-18 | 43.12% 4.47% |
46.15% 0.45% |
41.28% 7.63% |
| 2018-19 | 40.30% -2.82% |
39.37% -6.79% |
40.95% -0.33% |
| 2019-20 | 37.70% -2.60% |
44.16% 4.80% |
34.31% -6.64% |
| 2020-21 | 24.76% -12.94% |
29.33% -14.83% |
22.14% -12.17% |
| 2021-22 | 30.03% 5.27% |
28.85% -0.48% |
30.02% 7.89% |
| 2022-23 | 36.00% 5.97% |
32.03% 3.17% |
36.42% 6.40% |
| 2023-24 | 33.71% -2.29% |
42.75% 10.73% |
29.79% -6.63% |
| 2024-25 | 27.93% -5.78% |
24.19% -18.56% |
27.39% -2.40% |
| Average | 34.81% | 37.10% | 33.05% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 2,205, the average number of admitted is 573, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 197.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at California Institute of the Arts from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 2,158 | 538 | 193 |
| 2016-17 | 2,258 4.63% |
533 -0.93% |
206 6.74% |
| 2017-18 | 2,265 0.31% |
545 2.25% |
235 14.08% |
| 2018-19 | 2,333 3.00% |
536 -1.65% |
216 -8.09% |
| 2019-20 | 2,267 -2.83% |
573 6.90% |
216 |
| 2020-21 | 2,254 -0.57% |
618 7.85% |
153 -29.17% |
| 2021-22 | 2,364 4.88% |
686 11.00% |
206 34.64% |
| 2022-23 | 2,120 -10.32% |
525 -23.47% |
189 -8.25% |
| 2023-24 | 2,023 -4.58% |
525 | 177 -6.35% |
| 2024-25 | 2,004 -0.94% |
648 23.43% |
181 2.26% |
| Average | 2,205 | 573 | 197 |
The following table compares California Institute of the Arts' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Institute of the Arts | 25.95% | 32.34% | 24.62% |
| University of Southern California | 9.81% | 10.02% | -2.10% |
| University of the People | - | - | - |
| National University | - | - | - |
| Stanford University | 3.61% | 3.91% | -7.67% |
| California Baptist University | 84.88% | 73.57% | 15.37% |
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