California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, California · Private, nonprofit · 860 undergraduates
Of 9 programs with reported earnings, 4 leave graduates out-earning a typical California high-school graduate (about $36,976/yr) and 5 fall short. Another 15 programs did not have enough data to judge.
What families actually pay
| Family income | Net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30k | $26,686 |
| $30k to $48k | $40,899 |
| $48k to $75k | $51,847 |
| $75k to $110k | $38,627 |
| $110k and up | $58,873 |
| All families (average) | $46,080 |
Net price is the yearly cost after grants and scholarships, by family income (College Scorecard). Credit: TuitionTracker.
Program earnings vs a high-school graduate
| Program | Credential | Median earnings | vs HS grad | Verdict | Median debt | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music | Bachelor's Degree | $40,294 | +$3,318 | clears the bar | $19,500 | 5.9 yrs |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | Bachelor's Degree | $41,192 | +$4,216 | clears the bar | $27,000 | 6.4 yrs |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | Master's Degree | $56,207 | +$19,231 | clears the bar | $96,000 | 5 yrs |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | Master's Degree | $57,920 | +$20,944 | clears the bar | $109,180 | 5.2 yrs |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | Bachelor's Degree | $29,426 | -$7,550 | falls short | $27,000 | n/a |
| Fine and Studio Arts | Master's Degree | $24,720 | -$12,256 | falls short | n/a | n/a |
| Fine and Studio Arts | Bachelor's Degree | $28,617 | -$8,359 | falls short | $27,000 | n/a |
| Music | Master's Degree | $29,494 | -$7,482 | falls short | $44,150 | n/a |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | Master's Degree | $34,026 | -$2,950 | falls short | $61,000 | n/a |
Access and outcomes: 24% of students receive Pell grants · 67% complete their program.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10). Earnings are median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing, compared to the state high-school-graduate earnings threshold. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Something look wrong? Report it.