You would borrow a median $25,000 — about $284 a month for ten years. Graduates earn a median $41,198 ten years after starting, so the debt clears in roughly — years of the salary premium.
The figures below are what the US Department of Education publishes for this university.
Under roughly 15% of gross pay, repayment is generally considered manageable alongside rent and living costs.
Every dollar you win is a dollar you never repay — and it moves the —-year payback above. We list 1 scholarship tied to California Institute of the Arts.
See all 1 California Institute of the Arts scholarships →Tell us what you need and we will come back with the lenders that actually fund students from your country — including options with no US co-signer. No obligation, and we never charge you.
The typical graded university clears its debt in 1.3 years on median earnings of $57,146 against $22,500 of debt. California Institute of the Arts sits inside that set, and its graduates earn $1,678 a year more than a US worker with only a high-school diploma.
| Nearby university | Grade | Debt | Earnings | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University California | A | $12,000 | $124,080 | 0.1 yrs |
| Harvey Mudd College California | A | $25,000 | $138,687 | 0.3 yrs |
| University of California, Berkeley California | A | $13,000 | $92,446 | 0.3 yrs |
| Santa Clara University California | A | $19,162 | $109,183 | 0.3 yrs |
| University of California Davis California | A | $13,000 | $80,838 | 0.3 yrs |
Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard — earnings and debt cover students who received federal financial aid and blend every subject taught at the institution. Figures imported 28 Aug 2026. This page is information, not financial advice.