At $47,183/yr net price, California Institute of the Arts graduates earn $41,198/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,198/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $47,183 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $188,732 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,198/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,198/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 26.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 64.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $33,802/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $37,082/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $35,788/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $44,448/yr |
| $110,001+ | $59,106/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $49,840 | |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Master | $32,563 | $109,180 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Master | $25,194 | $96,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Master | $23,456 | |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor | $22,420 | $27,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor | $20,140 | $27,000 |
| Music. | Master | $20,140 | $44,150 |
| Dance. | Bachelor | $15,182 |
The Risk Factor
64.2% of students at California Institute of the Arts graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 36% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
The math at California Institute of the Arts is hard to justify on financial terms alone. You pay a net price near $47,000 a year, but median earnings ten years out sit at $41,198. That means the typical graduate earns less annually than one year of net cost, and the gap between what you spend and what you make is wide for a private four-year school.
Your major decides everything here. Design and Applied Arts is the one bachelor's program that clears the median, at $49,840. Everything else drops off a cliff. Drama graduates earn around $22,420, Film and Video graduates around $20,140, and Dance graduates around $15,182. Those last three all pay less than half of what Design does, and Drama and Film graduates carry about $27,000 in debt while earning entry-level retail wages. If you enroll in one of these programs expecting to pay back loans on your salary alone, the numbers do not work.
The specific risk is that CalArts is a specialized arts school, and most of its programs feed into creative fields where pay is low and inconsistent. Los Angeles-area entertainment work is freelance-heavy, so income can swing hard year to year even for people who land jobs. A 64% graduation rate also means a real share of students leave without the degree they borrowed for.
Net price barely moves by income until you cross $75,000. Families under $48,000 still pay $34,000 to $37,000 a year, and above $110,000 the price jumps to $59,106. This school fits you if you are set on an arts career, ideally in Design, and you or your family can cover much of the cost without heavy borrowing. If you need your degree to produce a paycheck that services debt, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is California Institute of the Arts worth the high tuition cost?
California Institute of the Arts graduates earn a median of $41,198 ten years after graduation, which is low compared to the $47,183 annual cost. Only students in Design and Applied Arts programs see earnings that approach breaking even with the investment.
What programs at California Institute of the Arts have the best return on investment?
Design and Applied Arts graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn the most at $49,840 annually. Fine Arts and most Theatre Arts graduates earn under $25,000, making these programs financially risky given the school's high cost.
How much debt do California Institute of the Arts students typically graduate with?
California Institute of the Arts students graduate with a median debt of $25,000. While this debt level is manageable, the low earnings in most programs make repayment challenging for many graduates.
Does California Institute of the Arts financial aid make it affordable?
Even with financial aid, California Institute of the Arts costs $47,183 per year on average. The 64% graduation rate means over one-third of students leave without a degree, making the financial risk even higher.