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California Institute of the Arts

24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355-2340, USA

California Institute of the Arts award
California Institute of the Arts award
US ranking
position: 1262
Tuition & fees per year: $61,354
Acceptance rate: 26.00%
Median alumni salary: $22,659
Avg. SAT and ACT: N/A
Entrance difficulty: Hard

What does California Institute of the Arts offer in terms of athletics?

California Institute of the Arts provides a limited athletics program compared to larger universities. The institution focuses more on its strong arts and creative programs rather than competitive sports. However, students interested in physical activity and wellness have options for intramural sports and recreational clubs, allowing for engagement in diverse athletic experiences without the pressures of varsity-level competition.

While there are no extensive intercollegiate sports teams, CalArts encourages student participation in fitness and wellness through various campus resources. These opportunities promote physical health alongside the school's core artistic mission. Prospective students should consider that athletics plays a complementary rather than central role in campus life at CalArts.

What student groups and Associations are available at California Institute of the Arts?

California Institute of the Arts offers a variety of student groups and associations that cater to a diverse range of interests. Among these are the Student Council, FISK - Graphic Arts Club, Soccer Club, Korean Bible Study, and the Black Student Union. These organizations provide students with opportunities for leadership, creative collaboration, athletic participation, cultural engagement, and community building.

Who studies at California Institute of the Arts?

The student body at California Institute of the Arts comprises a modest number of new entrants each year, with approximately 177 freshmen and 57 transfer students joining the institution annually. These intake figures place the school in a lower percentile range compared to broader benchmarks, with freshmen enrollment ranking in the bottom 35% and transfer admissions near the bottom 40%. Overall, the student influx is considered average but leans toward the smaller side relative to many other institutions.

Age distribution reflects a predominantly young undergraduate population. Most undergraduates are aged between 18 and 21, with 252 students in the 18-19 age bracket and 334 students aged 20-21. The numbers slightly decline for older age groups, with several dozen students between 22 and 29 years old. Graduate students tend to be older, especially concentrated between 22 and 39 years, highlighting a mature cohort pursuing advanced studies.

California Institute of the Arts serves a diverse demographic in terms of ethnicity. Hispanic students number 133, while White students represent the largest reported group with 291 individuals. Asian students contribute to the campus diversity with 78 students, and African American students account for 41. Other ethnic groups, including Native American and Pacific Islander students, form smaller populations. Many students identify as belonging to two or more races or are of unknown ethnicity, adding further complexity to the campus makeup.

The ethnic representation figures suggest that while the institute's diversity metrics are classified as average, the proportions frequently place the institution in the lower percentiles nationally, generally within the bottom 35% to 40%. This indicates that prospective students seeking a broadly representative student body will find a moderate degree of diversity at California Institute of the Arts, balanced among several groups without any single ethnicity overwhelmingly dominant.

How does student life look like at California Institute of the Arts?

Student life at California Institute of the Arts includes a range of artistic and wellness opportunities that cater to creative pursuits and personal well-being. Performing arts are well represented with campus programs such as drama, radio, and chorus, providing students avenues to engage in theatrical productions, broadcasting, and vocal performance. While there is no campus band or television station, the available outlets encourage a vibrant creative atmosphere.

Health and psychological services are accessible to students, with a health clinic and counseling services on campus supporting their physical and mental health needs. However, some services like legal assistance and a women's center are not offered.

The institute does not have a campus newspaper, which may influence the flow of campus news and peer communication. There is no information indicating involvement in major athletic associations or varsity sports, suggesting a focus more aligned with the arts than competitive athletics.

Staffing levels reflect a moderately sized community, with a total of 403 full-time and 195 part-time staff members supporting the campus and student body. The student-to-faculty ratio is notably low at 7 to 1, which can provide students with more personalized attention and close interaction with faculty.

Enrollment numbers indicate a relatively small student body of 1,353, with a modest proportion of full-time degree-seeking students. This smaller community size can contribute to a more intimate campus experience.

What libraries are available to students at California Institute of the Arts?

Students at California Institute of the Arts have access to the Division of Library and Information Resources, the institution's main library facility. The university operates one library with physical facilities available, complemented by digital access options.

While the collection size is moderate, the library holds approximately 138,874 printed books and 238,155 ebooks, with the number of ebooks considered low relative to other institutions. Subscriptions include 1,432 print or other subscriptions and a larger digital subscription collection totaling 9,931.

The library maintains an average offering of 51 databases, which supports a variety of research needs. Staff members are trained to assist students, and access to shared collections provides additional resource opportunities beyond the immediate holdings.

Overall, the library resources at California Institute of the Arts are positioned in the lower 30 to 45 percentile range compared to other universities, indicating a modest but functional collection and support system for student needs.

California Institute of the Arts Student Life for 2026

Total enrollment

1353

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

176

Member of Athletic Associations

Data not available

Total staff

403 full time, 195 part time

Veterans affair office

No

California Institute of the Arts Library Services and Resources

Main library name

Division of Library and Information Resources

Number of libraries on campus

1

Reservable study rooms in library

No

24h access

No

Physical facilities

Yes

Access to digital/electronic resources

Yes

Staff trained to provide and interpret library materials

Yes

Established library hours

Yes

Access to library collections that are shared with other institutions

Yes

California Institute of the Arts Computer Labs Access

  • 24h access
  • Help desk

California Institute of the Arts Student Life Enrollment Statistics

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshman
Transfer

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

California Institute of the Arts Location & Map

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