California Institute Of The Arts Cost & Financial Aid
Affordability Summary
Affordable for lower and middle-income families through substantial aid. Higher-income families pay closer to sticker price.
Cost Calculator
What You'll Pay at California Institute Of The Arts
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
The Cost Formula
Tuition
$59K
+
Room
$14K
+
Books
$1,062
=
Sticker Price
$77,560
$59K+$14K+$1,062=$77,560
Your Family Income
Sticker
$77,560
−
Your Aid
$25,713
=
Net Price
$51,847
All Income Levels
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
California Institute Of The Arts Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Summary
Cost Category
Amount
Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price)
$77,560
Tuition and Fees
$58,996
Room and Board
$14,134
Books and Supplies
$1,062
Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships)
-$31,480
Average Net Price (What Families Pay)
$46,080
California Institute Of The Arts Net Price by Family Income Level
Family Income
Net Price
$0–30k
$26,686
$30–48k
$40,899
$48–75k
$51,847
$75–110k
$38,627
$110k+
$58,873
Understanding Your Aid Package
California Institute Of The Arts has a sticker price of $77,560 per year, but most students pay significantly less after financial aid. The actual cost depends heavily on your family's income level.
Key Facts
Sticker price: $77,560/year
Average aid: $31,480 in grants & scholarships
$48–75K families pay: ~$51,847/year
Student Debt & Repayment
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Typical Debt
Median Student Debt$25,000
Range (25th–75th)$16,398 – $36,000
Median Parent PLUS Loans$60,000
Debt Manageability
0.71x
Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
Debt is moderate relative to earnings. Manageable for most graduates, but higher-debt borrowers should plan carefully.
3-Year Default Rate0.0%
Return on Investment
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Median Earnings (10yr)
$41,198
Earnings Growth
+47%
6 → 10 years post-graduation
Value Added
+$-35,455
2th percentile among peers
Earnings Range (10yr post-graduation)
$13,878
25th %ile
$89,495
75th %ile
Frequently Asked Questions about California Institute Of The Arts Cost & Financial Aid
California Institute Of The Arts's published tuition is $77,560 per year. However, after financial aid, the average student pays $51,847—a difference of $25,713.
Families earning under $30,000 pay an average net price of $26,686 at California Institute Of The Arts. 24% of students receive Pell Grants.
California Institute Of The Arts offers merit-based scholarships for academic achievement, in addition to need-based financial aid. Contact the financial aid office for specific scholarship opportunities.
The median debt for California graduates is $25,000, resulting in estimated monthly payments of $265 over 10 years.
Even families earning over $110,000 pay an average net price of $58,873 at California—still $18,687 less than the sticker price. Most families qualify for some form of aid.
