California Institute of the Arts
Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at California Institute of the Arts, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 61% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 5th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (CA wage index 1.21). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at California Institute of the Arts
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $22,673 | $41,192 | +4% | #110 of 255 | #177 | $27,000 |
| Music | $18,896 | $40,294 | -6% | #182 of 268 | #215 | $19,500 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $28,247 | $29,426 | -33% | #143 of 144 | #143 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | — | $28,617 | -31% | #415 of 423 | #420 | $27,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The California Institute of the Arts Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $790,279
- Avg rent near campus: $2,845/mo — vs ~$822/mo campus room rate
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 91384 (3.5% cap, Castaic)
Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.
Free — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.
🏆 Where California Institute of the Arts Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $56,074 | $56,074 |
| Room | $7,396 | |
| Board | $6,194 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $77,308 | $77,308 |
Financial Aid
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from California Institute of the Arts's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at California Institute of the Arts?
How much does it cost to attend California Institute of the Arts?
What is the graduation rate at California Institute of the Arts?
Is California Institute of the Arts a good school?
- Outcomes (B+): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (B+): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (C+): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend California Institute of the Arts?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for California Institute of the Arts — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to California Institute of the Arts
Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology