California Institute of the Arts: Statistics

Updated: EliteDegrees
California Institute of the Arts logo
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PositionCategory
# 3347 of 14,131 In the World
# 940 of 2,597 In North America
# 871 of 2,496 In the United States
# 77 of 249 In California
# 1 of 2 In Santa Clarita
# 3399 of 3,566 For Literature
Top 1-3 For 5 other topics
Subject rankings

Quick Review

Acceptance rate

32%

Enrollment

19,212

Average SAT

1,150

Average ACT

25

Avg. cost to attend

$56,239 /y

Aid receiving

95%

Undergraduates

868

Graduates

409

Male:Female Ratio

41:59

Type

Privatenot-for-profit

Highest Degree

Doctor's degree

Acceptance rate & Admissions

California Institute of the Arts has an acceptance rate of 32% and is among the top 1% of the most difficult universities to gain admission to in the United States. The university reports the admission statistics without distinguishing between local and international students.

Total Men Women
Acceptance Rate 32% 32% 32%
Applicants 2,004 570 1,235
Admissions 648 186 398
Freshmen enrolled full time 181 45 109

Admissions requirements

Formal demonstration of competencies Required
Recommendations Required
Secondary school record Required
TOEFL Required
College-preparatory program Considered but not required
Secondary school GPA Considered but not required
Secondary school rank Considered but not required
Other Tests Neither required nor recommended
SAT/ACT Neither required nor recommended

Enrollment demographics by race or ethnicity

â–  White 31%
â–  Nonresident Alien 30%
â–  Asian 9%
â–  Hispanic 15%
â–  Black or African American 6%
â–  Two or more races 6%
â–  Unknown 2%

Tuition

Below is the standard credit pricing for the various degree levels offered at California Institute of the Arts.

Degree Level Cost Per Credit
Associate Degree 1,749 CR
Bachelor Program 1,950 CR
Master Program 2,149 CR
Ph.D. / Doctoral 2,850 CR
Final tuition fees may vary based on specific department requirements, residency status, and selected elective courses. Please contact the admissions office for a detailed financial breakdown.

California Institute of the Arts majors

California Institute of the Arts has granted 233 bachelor's degrees across 15 programs, 179 master's across 20 programs, and 3 doctorate degrees across 1 programs. Below is a table with majors that lead to degrees at California Institute of the Arts.

Major Bachelor Master Doctoral
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects 58 14 -
Cinematography and Film & Video Production 17 28 -
Acting 29 12 -
Fine & Studio Arts, General 23 17 -
Technical Theatre & Theatre Design and Technology 18 12 -
Music Theory and Composition 10 14 3
Dance, General 15 6 -
Photography 12 7 -
Creative Writing - 15 -
Music, General 14 - -
Computer Software and Media Applications, Other 11 2 -
Graphic Design 13 - -
Jazz & Jazz Studies 8 3 -
Digital Communication and Media & Multimedia - 10 -
Theatre & Theatre Arts Management 1 9 -
Music Performance, General 3 6 -
Cultural Studies & Critical Theory and Analysis - 7 -
Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation - 7 -
Costume Design - 4 -
Directing and Theatrical Production - 3 -
Visual and Performing Arts, Other - 2 -
Intermedia & Multimedia - 1 -
Musicology and Ethnomusicology 1 - -
Grand Total 233 179 3

Publications & Citations

California Institute of the Arts has published 262 scientific papers with 1,975 citations received. The research profile covers a range of fields, including Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, Art & Design, Computer Science, Engineering, Philosophy, Environmental Science, Fashion Design, Physics, History, and Political Science.

Publication / Citation count by topic

Annual publication & citation counts

Academic rankings

100 Notable alumni

Ann Telnaes

1. Ann Telnaes

1960-. (aged 66)
cartoonist animator journalist
Ann Carolyn Telnaes is an American editorial cartoonist. She creates cartoons in forms including animation, visual essays, live sketches, and traditional print. She worked for The Washington Post from 2008 until her resignation on January 3, 2025. She held a solo exhibition at the Great Hall in the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress in 2004.
+ show more
Tony Oursler

2. Tony Oursler

1957-. (aged 69)
video artist draftsperson director installation artist television producer
Tony Oursler is an American multimedia and installation artist married to Jacqueline Humphries. He completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, California, in 1979. His art covers a range of mediums, working with video, sculpture, installation, performance, and painting. He lives and works in New York City.
+ show more
Nate Wood

3. Nate Wood

1979-. (aged 47)
jazz musician jazz drummer jazz singer jazz guitarist jazz bassist
Nate Wood is an American jazz multi-instrumentalist. He has performed with Wayne Krantz, Kneebody, Tigran Hamasyan, Louis Cole, The Calling, and Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders.
+ show more
Stephen Anderson

4. Stephen Anderson

1970-. (aged 56)
film screenwriter film director animator actor voice actor
Stephen Anderson is an American animator and voice actor working for Walt Disney Animation Studios.
All 100 notable alumni
AlumnusAlumnusAlumnusAlumnus

General Info & Contacts

Alternative names CalArts
Founded 1961
Motto No information in advance of need
Academic calendar September to May
Total staff 482
Classification Master's Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs
Address 24700 W McBean Pky Valencia, California, 91355-2397 United States
City Population 229,000
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