California College of the Arts

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at California College of the Arts was $51,792 a year.

In 2023, tuition increased 2.37%–from $50,592 the previous year. On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If these numbers sound impossible, remember, the "sticker price" of tuition does not give you all the info you need to know how much you will actually have to pay for college. Many students find the actual cost of college is a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Additionally, student loans can make thecost of college feel more doable until you've finishing school and found a job.

California College of the Arts meets 65% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at California College of the Arts is around $40,274 a year.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $29,458 per student, not including those with no debt.

California College of the Arts: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

California College of the Arts is a private, nonprofit institution, which means it has the same tuition for residents of California as it does for residents from other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state status can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to verify your state's eligibility criteria for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other California colleges

California College of the Arts International Student Tuition

California College of the Arts has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or California College of the Arts-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at California College of the Arts:

•On-campus jobs •Loans from outsideCalifornia College of the Arts •California College of the Arts-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

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California College of the Arts Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at California College of the Arts.

Room and Board Costs at California College of the Arts

Housing and campus dining at California College of the Arts costs $19,117 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the California College of the Arts's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at California College of the Arts?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have resources so that those with financial need to get help covering these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at California College of the Arts

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At California College of the Arts, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in an urban area might be costly, but there may be more buses, trains and affordable flights to actually get to school. California College of the Artsis in a city in California, near San Francisco and Oakland.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, be sure to factor in personal expenses, like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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Financial Breakdown for California College of the Arts

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to California College of the Arts.

How Much Does California College of the Arts Cost?

What will the cost of attending California College of the Arts be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$51,792
Room and Board	$19,117
Other expenses	$3,450

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$76,379
Off-Campus	$57,972

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at California College of the Arts

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In 2023, 476 of the 1,239 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. California College of the Arts meets 65% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $40,274 a year. Around 29% of California College of the Arts undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. California College of the Arts graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $29,458 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$22,640
Private Loans	$95,994

Most Common Loans for California College of the Arts Students
Federal Loans	29%
Private loans	2%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on California College of the Arts financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at California College of the Arts

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, California College of the Arts awarded 474 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $17.4 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $8.31 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

California College of the Arts Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for California College of the Arts students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at California College of the Arts was $40,274 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of California College of the Arts seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$36,105
Off-Campus	$17,698

What will attending California College of the Arts really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the California College of the Arts's net cost calculator on their website.

California College of the Arts Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

California College of the Arts Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

California College of the Arts's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of California College of the Arts's endowment was $30.3 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021.

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Learn More About California College of the Arts

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