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TUITION AND FINANCIAL AID

Tuition and Fees
(2025-2026 Academic Year)

​Undergraduate Program: Bachelor of Arts in Music (BAM)

  • Tuition: $511 per unit

  • Full-time (12 units/semester): $6,132 per semester | $12,264 per year

  • Total Tuition Cost (120 units): $61,320

  • Individual Instruction/ Private Lesson Fee: $0 per semester

  • Registration Fee: $100 per semester

  • Student Association Fee: $30 per semester

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Graduate Program: Master of Arts in Contemporary Music Performance (MACMP)

  • Tuition: $612 per credit hour

  • Full-time (9 units/semester): $5,508 per semester | $11,016 per year

  • Total Tuition Cost (45 units): $27,540

  • Individual Instruction/ Private Lesson Fee: $0 per semester

  • Registration Fee: $100 per semester

  • Student Association Fee: $30 per semester

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Doctoral Program: Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)

  • Tuition: $912 per unit hour

  • Full-time (9 units/semester): $8,208 per semester | $16,416 per year

  • Total Tuition Cost (60 units): $54,720

  • Individual Instruction/ Private Lesson Fee: $0 per semester

  • Registration Fee: $100 per semester

  • Student Association Fee: $30 per semester​​​​​

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Affordable Education with Comprehensive Support

 

At California Arts University (CAU), we believe that finances should never be a barrier to your calling. We offer a variety of scholarships—covering up to 50% of tuition—and financial aid options to help students manage their educational costs.

 

All-inclusive Tuition

Your tuition at CAU covers everything: private lessons, studio access, performance opportunities, and more—so you can focus fully on your growth as an artist and scholar without worrying about hidden fees.

 

We encourage all students to explore the following scholarship and aid opportunities designed to support your success.

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  • Merit-Based Scholarships

  • Need-Based Financial Assistance

  • Church and Ministry Scholarships

  • Work-Study Opportunities

  • Tuition Payment Plans

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Award Process

 

The Scholarship Committee-comprising the President, Student Dean, Academic Dean, and Director of Admission-reviews applications and grants scholarships accordingly.​ Scholarships are awarded as tuition credits to eligible students.

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Eligibility & Application

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  • Open to both prospective and current students.

  • Students must reapply each semester to maintain eligibility.

  • Scholarship awards cannot exceed the total tuition amount.​

  • If eligible for multiple scholarships, only one may be awarded per student per semester.​

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Non-Refundable Fees

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  • Registration Fee (per semester) - $100 

  • Individual Lesson/ Private Lesson (per semester) - $700 

  • Application Fee (one-time) - $50 

  • Enrollment Fee (one-time) - $100 

  • International Student Service Fee - $300 

  • I-20 Re-Issue Fee - $50 

  • I-20 Extension Fee - $100 

  • Readmission Fee - $100 

  • Tuition Installment Fee - $35 

  • Add/Drop Fee - $10 

  • Return Check/Denied Credit Card Fee - $35 

  • Shipping Fee (Domestic) - $15 

  • Shipping Fee (International) - $30 

  • Express Shipping Fee (Domestic) - $40 

  • Express Shipping Fee (International) - $50 

  • Individual Instruction Fee – Music Students (per hour) - $50 

  • Graduation Fee - $450 

  • Student ID Card - $10 

  • ID Card Replacement Fee - $25 

  • Transcript/Certificate Fee - $10 

  • Transcript Express Fee - $20 

  • Transcript Mailing Fee - $5 

  • English Translation Services (per hour) - $50 

  • Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) *subject to change - $0 per $1,000 of tuition​​​​

Refund Policy

  • Cancellation Date - Cancellation takes effect on the day written notice is sent.

  • Refund Timeline - Refunds are processed within 30 days after cancellation.

  • Non-Refundable Fees - Registration, materials, STRF, and activity fees are not refundable.

  • Instruction Threshold - No refunds if more than 60% of the course has completed.

  • Prorated Refunds - If you withdraw with 60% or less of the course completed, your refund will be prorated.

  • Example: For a course costing $750 over 45 hours, if you withdraw after 18 hours, your refund is:  $750 – ($750 x 18/45) = $450 refund

  • Withdrawal Process - Submit a signed add/drop card to the Office of the Registrar. Failure to do so may result in additional charges and a failing grade.

Start Your Musical Journey Today!

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester: March 1st

Spring Semester: October 1st

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