California College of the Arts

In 2021, tuition for full-time California College of the Arts students was $51,792 a year.

Tuition increased 2.37% in 2022–from $50,592 the previous year. Usually, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students find the actual cost of college is much less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay out of pocket more manageable until you're done with college.

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 students who live in other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public insitutions often offer a lower cost of attendance for those who qualify as California residents.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to check your state's criteria for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be additional requirements too, depending on where you live.

Explore other California colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to California College of the Arts?

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. are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or California College of the Arts-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.. International students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible 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 Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to the cost of tuition, 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

Room and board at California College of the Arts is $19,117 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat in 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.

Cost of Books at California College of the Arts

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools offer resources so that those with demonstrated need to find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at California College of the Arts

The total cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. 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 will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are not allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area could be pricey, but there may be more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. The California College of the Arts campus is located in a urban setting in California, not far from San Francisco and Oakland.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, be sure to leave some room in your budget for the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at California College of the Arts

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to California College of the Arts.

Total Cost of California College of the Arts

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

2022 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 2022, 485 of the 1,239 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. California College of the Arts meets 68% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $42,982 a year. Around 42% 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 $37,926 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$25,930
Private Loans	$17,137

Most Common Loans for California College of the Arts Students
Federal Loans	42%
Private loans	34%

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 2022, California College of the Arts awarded 482 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 $9.44 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 $42,982 in 2022. 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	$33,397
Off-Campus	$14,990

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 reduce the total cost of attendance. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

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

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Learn More About California College of the Arts

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