CalArts — the California Institute of the Arts — has one of the most distinctive reputations in art education. It has launched the careers of some of the most influential animators, filmmakers, and experimental artists of the last fifty years. But is CalArts worth it? Given the cost, the location, and the very specific kind of education it offers, this is a question worth answering carefully.
What Is CalArts, Exactly?
CalArts is a private art and performing arts college located in Valencia, California, about 30 miles north of Los Angeles. It was founded in 1961 through a merger of two Los Angeles art schools, with significant support from Walt Disney — a fact that shaped its early identity and still influences its animation program today.
What makes CalArts unusual is its structure. It is organized into six schools: Art, Music, Theater, Dance, Film/Video, and Critical Studies. Students across all six schools share a campus and a culture that is deliberately experimental, interdisciplinary, and anti-hierarchical. There are no grades in many programs. Critique is central. Self-direction is expected.
This is not a school for everyone. It is a school for a very specific kind of student — and for that student, it can be extraordinary.
What Is CalArts Best Known For?
Animation. CalArts is the single most important institution in American animation history. Its Character Animation program has produced a staggering proportion of the people behind Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, and virtually every major animated film and television production of the last four decades. If animation is your goal, CalArts is not just worth it — it may be the only school that fully matters.
Experimental and conceptual art. CalArts’ School of Art has a long tradition of producing artists who challenge conventions. If you want to make work that doesn’t fit neatly into existing categories, CalArts gives you the freedom and the intellectual environment to do that.
Film and video. The film program at CalArts has produced directors, cinematographers, and experimental filmmakers who have shaped independent cinema globally.
Music and performance. CalArts is equally respected in contemporary music and performance art — areas where few schools can match its faculty or culture.
How Much Does CalArts Cost?
This is where the conversation gets serious.
CalArts tuition is approximately $57,000 per year, and with housing, supplies, and living expenses in the Los Angeles area, the total annual cost of attendance can exceed $75,000. Over four years, that is a total investment of $300,000 or more.
Financial aid is available, including merit scholarships for both domestic and international students. However, aid for international students is limited and highly competitive. Most international students — including Korean students — should plan for the possibility of funding the majority of costs independently.
[→ See our guide: CalArts Financial Aid for International Students]
Is CalArts Worth the Cost?
The answer depends almost entirely on what you want to do.
Yes, CalArts is worth it if:
- Animation is your primary goal. The CalArts Character Animation program is the most direct path into the professional animation industry in the US. Studios recruit heavily from CalArts. The alumni network is unmatched. No other school offers what CalArts offers in this specific field.
- You want to make experimental, conceptual, or interdisciplinary work. CalArts gives students a level of creative freedom that is rare in structured art school environments. If you have a clear artistic vision and need space to develop it, CalArts can be worth every dollar.
- You are prepared for its culture. CalArts is intense, self-directed, and deliberately uncomfortable. Students who thrive are those who can manage freedom — who don’t need external structure to stay productive and focused.
CalArts may not be worth it if:
- Your interest is in design, fashion, or commercial art. CalArts is not a design school. It does not have the industry connections or curriculum orientation of Parsons or ArtCenter for commercial design careers.
- You need a more structured learning environment. The lack of traditional grading and the high degree of self-direction can be disorienting for students who are used to clear benchmarks. RISD or Pratt may be better fits.
- The cost is a significant burden without a clear path to high-earning work. Fine art and experimental film careers are deeply rewarding but rarely immediately lucrative. Carrying $200,000+ in debt into a fine art career requires very careful thought.
What Do CalArts Graduates Do?
The answer varies dramatically by school.
School of Film/Video and Character Animation graduates have some of the strongest employment outcomes of any art school in the country. Studios are actively looking for CalArts alumni, and many graduates enter the industry before they finish their degree.
School of Art graduates pursue careers as working artists, gallery artists, critics, curators, and educators. The CalArts MFA in particular has an exceptional reputation in the fine art world.
Music and Theater graduates go on to careers in performance, composition, directing, and arts administration.
The common thread across all programs is that CalArts graduates are known for being bold, original, and conceptually rigorous — qualities that open doors in fields that value exactly those things.
CalArts vs. RISD vs. Parsons: Which Is Right for You?
| CalArts | RISD | Parsons | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Animation, experimental art, film | Fine art, industrial design, illustration | Fashion, graphic design, commercial design |
| Location | Valencia / Los Angeles | Providence, RI | New York City |
| Structure | Highly self-directed | Rigorous studio culture | Urban, industry-integrated |
| Cost | ~$75,000/year total | ~$78,000/year total | ~$72,000/year total |
| Korean students | Strong animation track record | Broad strong track record | Largest Korean student community |
[→ See our full CalArts vs RISD comparison] [→ See our full CalArts vs Parsons comparison]
The Verdict: Is CalArts Worth It?
For the right student, CalArts is absolutely worth it. If you want to work in animation, experimental art, or film — and you are prepared for its demanding, self-directed culture — CalArts can launch a career that no other school can match.
For students whose goals lie in commercial design, fashion, or structured studio art, there are better fits at lower cost.
The most important question is not whether CalArts is worth it in general. It is whether CalArts is worth it for you, for your specific creative goals, and for your financial situation. That question deserves a careful, honest answer before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CalArts hard to get into? CalArts is highly selective, particularly for its most competitive programs. Character Animation and Film/Video are among the hardest programs in the US to gain admission to. The portfolio is the primary factor — GPA and test scores matter far less than creative work. [→ See our complete guide to getting into CalArts]
Is CalArts good for Korean students? Yes. Korean students have a strong track record at CalArts, particularly in animation and fine art. CalArts values creative originality, which Korean students who have developed a genuine artistic voice can demonstrate powerfully. [→ See our guide: CalArts for Korean Students]
Does CalArts give scholarships to international students? CalArts offers merit-based scholarships that international students can apply for, but competition is strong and awards rarely cover the full cost of attendance. [→ See our guide: CalArts Financial Aid for International Students]
Is the CalArts MFA worth it? The CalArts MFA — particularly in Fine Art and Film — is one of the most respected graduate programs in the US. For students pursuing careers as working artists or filmmakers, it carries significant weight. Whether it is worth the cost depends on your specific career goals.