Tuition and Included Resources
California Arts University is committed to providing high-quality education through a transparent and predictable tuition structure.
Tuition and fees are reviewed annually and published before each academic year to help students plan for their educational expenses.
Effective Fall 2025, tuition includes essential academic and artistic resources based on each student’s academic program and course requirements. Included resources may consist of:
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Required private lessons
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Studio access
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Performance opportunities
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Ensemble and recital participation
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Academic advising and student support
Required private lessons for applicable music programs are included in tuition and are not charged separately under the Fall 2025 or later tuition structure.
Students subject to a tuition and fee schedule established before Fall 2025 may be charged a separate private-lesson fee.
Please review the tuition and fee schedule applicable to your enrollment agreement for current tuition rates, required fees, and any program-specific charges.
Tuition and Fees
Undergraduate Program
Bachelor of Arts in Music (B.A.M.)
Duration: 5 years (120 units)
Tuition
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$511 per unit
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Full-time enrollment (12 units/semester): $6,132 per semester | $12,264 per year
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Total Tuition (120 units): $61,320
Instruction Included
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Private Lessons: 9 private lessons (90 total hours) included in tuition — $0 additional cost
Required Fees
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Enrollment Fee (one-time): $100
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Registration Fee: $100 per semester (10 semesters): $1,000
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Technology Fee: $54 per semester (10 semesters): $540
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Student Association Fee: $30 per semester (10 semesters): $300
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Graduation Fee: $450
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Total Required Fees: $2,390
Estimated Total Program Cost: $63,710
Additional Estimated Costs (not billed by the university)
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Textbooks & Course Materials (varies by course)
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Room & Board: ~$21,760 per year
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Personal & Transportation Expenses
Graduate Program
Master of Arts in Contemporary Music Performance (M.A.C.M.P)
Duration: 2.5 years (45 units)
Tuition
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$612 per unit
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Full-time enrollment (9 units/semester): $5,508 per semester | $11,016 per year
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Total Tuition (45 units): $27,540
Instruction Included
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Private Lessons: 5 private lessons (50 total hours) included in tuition — $0 additional cost
Required Fees
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Enrollment Fee (one-time): $100
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Registration Fee: $100 per semester (5 semesters): $500
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Technology Fee: $54 per semester (5 semesters): $270
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Student Association Fee: $30 per semester (5 semesters): $150
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Graduation Fee: $450
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Total Required Fees: $1,470
Estimated Total Program Cost: $29,010
Additional Estimated Costs
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Textbooks & Course Materials (varies by course)
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Room & Board: ~$21,760 per year
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Personal & Transportation Expenses
Doctoral Program
Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.)
Duration: 3.5 years (60 units)
Tuition
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$912 per unit
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Full-time enrollment (9 units/semester): $8,208 per semester | $16,416 per year
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Total Tuition (60 units): $54,720
Instruction Included
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Private Lessons: 7 private lessons (70 total hours) included in tuition — $0 additional cost
Required Fees
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Enrollment Fee (one-time): $100
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Registration Fee: $100 per semester (7 semesters): $700
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Technology Fee: $54 per semester (7 semesters): $378
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Student Association Fee: $30 per semester (7 semesters): $210
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Graduation Fee: $450
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Total Required Fees: $1,838
Estimated Total Program Cost: $56,558
Additional Estimated Costs
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Textbooks & Course Materials (varies by course)
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Room & Board: ~$21,760 per year
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Personal & Transportation Expenses
Note: Certain fees are designated as non-refundable. In accordance with California law, all charges will be refunded if the student cancels within the cancellation period. After the cancellation period, designated non-refundable fees will be retained.
General Fees
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Application Fee (one-time) (non-refundable): $50
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Enrollment Fee (one-time) (non-refundable): $100
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Registration Fee (per semester) (non-refundable): $100
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Technology Fee (per semester): $54
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Student Association Fee (per semester): $30
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Individual Private Lesson Fee—Legacy Tuition Plan (per semester) (non-refundable): $700
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Individual Instruction Fee – Music Students (per hour): $70
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Graduation Fee: $450
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Student ID Card: $15
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ID Card Replacement Fee: $25
Administrative Fees
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Late Registration Fee (non-refundable): $100
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Late Payment Fee (non-refundable): $30
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Readmission Fee (non-refundable): $100
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Add/Drop Course Fee (non-refundable): $10
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Returned Check Fee (non-refundable): $35
Transcript & Documentation Fees
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Transcript / Certificate Fee (Standard): $10
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Transcript Express Fee: $20
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Transcript Mailing Fee: $5
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English Translation Services (per hour): $50
Shipping Fees
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Standard Domestic Shipping: $15
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Standard International Shipping: $30
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Express Domestic Shipping: $40
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Express International Shipping: $50
International Student Fees
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International Student Service Fee: $300
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I-20 Re-Issue Fee: $50
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I-20 Extension Fee: $100
Compliance Fee
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Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF):
$0 per $1,000 of institutional charges (subject to change).
Current rates published at:
www.bppe.ca.gov
Fee Schedule
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Scholarships and Institutional Support
California Arts University offers institutionally funded scholarships and tuition assistance to help eligible students pursue their academic, artistic, leadership, and service goals.
Awards are competitive and discretionary. Institutional scholarships and tuition credits may cover up to 50% of the tuition charged for the applicable semester, subject to eligibility requirements, institutional review, program requirements, availability of funds, and approval by the University.
Scholarship Opportunities
Available institutional scholarship categories may include:
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Merit-Based Scholarships
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Academic Achievement Scholarships
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Need-Based Institutional Assistance
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Church and Ministry Scholarships
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Global Leadership Awards
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Community Service Awards
The availability, eligibility requirements, and amount of each award may vary by semester, academic program, and institutional funding.
Award Process
Scholarship applications are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee.
All institutional awards are applied directly to the eligible student’s account as tuition credits. Scholarship funds are not issued as cash payments and may not be transferred to another student or academic term unless expressly approved by the University.
Eligibility and Application Guidelines
To be considered for an institutional scholarship or award, students must:
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Be admitted and enrolled as a new or returning degree-seeking student.
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Enroll in at least 9 units per semester as an undergraduate student or 6 units per semester as a graduate student.
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Submit a scholarship application annually or by the applicable deadline, when required.
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Provide documentation supporting academic achievement, financial need, ministry involvement, community service, leadership, or other qualifying activities, when applicable.
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Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
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Meet the University’s attendance requirements.
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Comply with the Student Code of Conduct.
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Maintain their student account in good standing.
Students may receive only one institutional scholarship per semester unless otherwise approved by the University.
The combined value of institutional scholarships, discounts, and other tuition credits may not exceed 50% of the tuition charged for the applicable semester.
Scholarship awards are not guaranteed. Awards may be reduced, suspended, or discontinued if eligibility requirements are not maintained, required documentation is not provided, or institutional funding is unavailable.
For additional information or to begin the application process, contact finance@cauniv.edu.
Financial Aid
California Arts University does not currently participate in federal or state student financial aid programs. CAU offers institutional scholarships and tuition assistance to eligible students. Institutional awards are tuition credits and are not federal or state financial aid.
Refund Policy
California Arts University’s cancellation, withdrawal, and refund policies—including eligibility, calculation methods, deadlines, and procedures—are published in the Academic Catalog.
Students should also review the Enrollment Agreement applicable to their enrollment period. For questions, contact the Registrar’s Office at info@cauniv.edu.