Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
San Francisco, California
100% Acceptance Rate
California Institute of Integral Studies — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
100%Acceptance Rate
$48,848Grad Salary
54%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
100%
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
54% receive Pell
California Institute of Integral Studies is a private, graduate-focused institution that offers an interdisciplinary and holistically oriented education. Known for its innovative programs in psychology, philosophy, and social change, the institute fosters a learning environment that integrates personal growth with rigorous academic inquiry. Its commitment to cross-cultural awareness and transformative education makes it a unique destination for students seeking an advanced, values-based degree in a supportive and progressive community.
California Institute of Integral Studies Acceptance Rate
Admission at California Institute of Integral Studies is inclusive by design: 100% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 100% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
California Institute of Integral Studies Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark October 1 for California Institute of Integral Studies (Priority (Graduate) — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 61 days left — Priority (Graduate)
Priority (Graduate)
October 1
Priority (Undergraduate)
October 15
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at CIIS
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from California Institute of Integral Studies's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at CIIS — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into CIIS Without SAT or ACT?
CIIS's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for CIIS
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
CIIS provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Write the 4?6 page graduate admissions essay as a genuine autobiographical statement, not a condensed personal statement
CIIS's graduate essay (e.g., for Integral Counseling Psychology or the PhD in Integral/Transpersonal Psychology) explicitly wants values, emotional/spiritual insight, and life experience - a tightly "professional" 2-page statement built for a conventional program will read as mismatched here.
Name specific CIIS centers or firsts if they're genuinely why you're applying
CIIS operated the first university-affiliated psychedelics certificate program and the first PhD in Human Sexuality in the country - if either connects to your interests, cite the actual center (Center for Psychedelic Therapies and Research) by name rather than generic "innovative program" language.
For bachelor's completion programs, choose your writing sample deliberately
You can submit either a 750?1,000 word piece of prior academic writing or a 650-word reflection on program fit - pick based on which genuinely shows your strongest thinking, since CIIS explicitly offers the choice rather than dictating format.
If your GPA is below 2.0, plan for the letter-of-recommendation fallback early
CIIS's bachelor's completion programs require a recommendation letter only if your prior GPA is under 2.0 - if that applies to you, line up that recommender well before the application deadline rather than scrambling once you discover the requirement.
Expert Insight:
Because CIIS's essay prompts invite deep personal/spiritual disclosure, applicants sometimes either overshare in ways that don't serve the application or hold back out of unfamiliarity with this format - the essay should still demonstrate readiness for graduate-level rigor, not just personal narrative.
CIIS Profile
Full Name
California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS)
City
San Francisco
State
California
ZIP Code
94103
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
Is a CIIS Degree Worth It?
CIIS offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $76,700, and graduates see a 3.24% unemployment rate.
At CIIS, 54% receive a Pell Grant and 49.4% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming CIIS on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a CIIS Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, CIIS graduates report a median income of $48,848, about 20% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at CIIS
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Doctoral Degree Programs
First Professional Degree Programs
Professional Certificate Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About CIIS Admissions
California Institute of Integral Studies graduates earn a lower median salary of $48,848/year, especially outside technical fields.
54.0% of California Institute of Integral Studies students receive a Pell Grant — need-based aid you don't repay. File your FAFSA early and list California Institute of Integral Studies as a choice for the best shot at maximum aid.
California Institute of Integral Studies's acceptance rate is 100%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
California Institute of Integral Studies's deadline is October 1 (Priority (Graduate)).
California Institute of Integral Studies charges an application fee of 65; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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