The California Institute of the Arts was founded by Walt Disney in 1961 and is one of the premier institutions for the visual and performing arts in the United States. Its animation program has produced many of the leading animators at Pixar, Disney, and other major studios, making it the top pipeline for careers in animation and character design.
Notable Alumni
Tim Burton (visionary film director)•Don Cheadle (Oscar-nominated actor)•Stephen Hillenburg (creator of SpongeBob SquarePants)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Campus Experience
CalArts operates out of a single building in suburban Valencia, creating an intense creative pressure-cooker where animators, filmmakers, and musicians literally run into each other in the hallways at 2 AM. The isolation from LA means the social world is self-contained and deeply collaborative, but if you want a traditional college experience, you'll be disappointed — this is essentially an artist residency that grants degrees.
A single large Brutalist-inspired concrete complex set in the dry Santa Clarita hills. Functional and studio-focused by design, prioritizing creative workspace over visual appeal.
Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.
Safety
Campus Safety operates on the self-contained hilltop campus with daily crime logging. The small, insular campus has low reported crime and a close community feel.
Valencia is a master-planned community within Santa Clarita, one of the safest cities in Los Angeles County with violent crime rates roughly half the national average.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Plan Your Visit
Schedule: Select weekdays during the academic year; Mondays and Fridays fill fastest
Duration: 75-90 minutes, student-led
Tours depart from the main lobby. Arrive 15 minutes early to check in. Pre-registration required — same-day tours cannot be guaranteed. CalArts does NOT offer self-guided tours. Peak times fill up quickly; book well in advance.
Book a TourCampus is open for walking visits anytime
October through November or February through April when all programs are in full session. The CalArts Expo and end-of-year shows in late April/May are the best time to see student work. Avoid late December through mid-January (winter break) and summer when the building is quiet.
Free guest parking in Lot 1 on campus; additional street parking available. The campus is at 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355. It's 40 miles from LAX (~50 min without traffic), 21 miles from Burbank Airport (~30 min), and 30 minutes from downtown LA. A car is essentially required — no convenient public transit. Rideshare from Burbank Airport runs ~$30-40.
Location
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