QUICK ANSWER
CalArts life is shaped by two practical facts. First, the campus is in Valencia, in the Santa Clarita Valley, north of Los Angeles — a quiet suburb, not a city neighbourhood. Second, on-campus housing is not described as guaranteed: CalArts urges international students to apply as soon as possible and warns that late applicants may be wait-listed.
For a Korean student, that means two early tasks after admission: secure housing quickly, and plan how to get around without a car. The creative life inside the school — six schools sharing one campus — is the reason students accept those trade-offs.
Descriptions of CalArts often focus on its culture: experimental, collaborative, intense. That culture is real, but daily life is decided by more practical things. This guide looks at the campus, housing, transport and costs as CalArts currently publishes them, and at what a Korean family should do in the months after admission.
FIELD NOTE 1 · VALENCIA
Where CalArts Is, and What That Means
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Address | 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia, in the City of Santa Clarita |
| Setting | Suburban; Los Angeles studios and galleries are a drive or train ride away |
| Public transport | Metrolink’s Antelope Valley Line links the Santa Clarita Valley with Los Angeles Union Station |
| Schools on campus | Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music and Theater |
From CalArts’ About page, checked October 2026.
The setting cuts both ways. A suburban campus means fewer distractions and a community where students from six schools see each other daily. It also means that internships, exhibitions and industry events in Los Angeles take planning. Students without a car should check train times and campus transport options before agreeing to regular off-campus work.
FIELD NOTE 2 · VALENCIA
Housing: Apply Early
| Option | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| Chouinard Hall | Undergraduates |
| Ahmanson Hall | Third- and fourth-year undergraduates and graduate students |
| Limited off-campus units | Third- and fourth-year undergraduates and graduate students |
| Off-campus (independent) | Apartments, homestays and rentals in Valencia and Santa Clarita; CalArts is not affiliated with these providers |
From CalArts Residence Life and international housing pages, checked October 2026.
CalArts says all registered students may apply for housing and that it will accommodate as many students as possible. That is a commitment to try, not a guarantee. For Korean students arriving from abroad, a housing application filed late can mean starting the year on a wait list, so treat the housing deadline as seriously as the admission deadline.
FIRST 30 DAYS AFTER ADMISSION
1. Submit the enrolment deposit and housing application together. 2. Start the I-20 and visa process. 3. If on-campus housing is not confirmed, compare off-campus options in Valencia rather than Los Angeles, to keep the commute short. 4. Budget for transport if you will not have a car.
FIELD NOTE 3 · VALENCIA
What a Year Costs
| Item (on-campus undergraduate, 2026–27) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $62,954 |
| Fees | $730 |
| Housing | $8,304 |
| Food | $9,406 |
| Total cost of attendance | $90,455 |
From CalArts’ 2026–27 cost of attendance page. The total also includes CalArts’ allowances for other costs.
For comparison, RISD lists $93,776 for 2026–27 before health insurance. The two schools cost about the same; the difference is in what the money buys. We compare the schools directly in CalArts vs RISD, and look at value in whether CalArts is worth the cost.
FIELD NOTE 4 · VALENCIA
Life Inside the School
CalArts’ six schools share one campus, so a Character Animation student, a composer and a theatre maker work in the same building. That is the main reason students choose CalArts over a design-focused school. It also suits a particular kind of student: someone who is comfortable starting their own projects and finding collaborators, rather than waiting for a structured programme to provide them.
For Korean students, the adjustment is usually less about workload and more about independence. Programmes expect students to set their own direction early, because they are admitted directly to a field. Our record lists 15 CalArts acceptances between 2009 and 2026, a small number next to our design-school results, which reflects how specific the CalArts fit is.
FIELD NOTE 5 · VALENCIA
Frequently Asked Questions
Is housing guaranteed at CalArts?
CalArts does not describe it as guaranteed. It says all registered students may apply and it will accommodate as many as possible, and it advises international students to apply as soon as possible to avoid the wait list.
Do I need a car at CalArts?
Not necessarily, but plan for transport. The campus is in Valencia, and Los Angeles is reached by car or by Metrolink from the Santa Clarita Valley.
How much does a year at CalArts cost?
CalArts lists a 2026–27 on-campus undergraduate cost of attendance of $90,455, including tuition of $62,954.
Which schools share the CalArts campus?
Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music and Theater.
Where do international students live if on-campus housing is full?
CalArts lists off-campus options such as apartments, homestays and rentals in Valencia and Santa Clarita, but says it is not affiliated with these providers.
ROYAL BLUE ART & DESIGN
For 19 years we have prepared Korean students for CalArts, RISD and other U.S. art schools from our studio in Apgujeong, Seoul. Our public record lists 1,099 acceptances confirmed directly with students. We help admitted students plan housing, visas and the move as well as the application. Call 02-3446-5929 or book a consultation.
Location and schools from CalArts’ About page; housing from CalArts Residence Life and international housing pages; costs from the 2026–27 cost of attendance page, all checked October 2026. Royal Blue figures from our results record (2009–2026). If something here has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
Related reading: CalArts vs RISD · Is CalArts Worth It? · CalArts Aid · RISD Campus Life · Royal Blue Results