International beginner interested in animation: is an expensive school like CalArts worth it, or are there better alternative paths?

Hi everyone. I’m an international artist from Peru and I’m 25 years old. I recently discovered a strong passion for animation, and I’m seriously interested in entering the animation industry.

I know I’m still a beginner in many areas, but the more I learn about animation, the more I feel that this is the path I want to pursue. I’ve been researching animation schools, and CalArts is one of the names that comes up constantly because of its reputation and history in the industry.

The problem is the cost. As an international student, the total cost can be extremely high, around $90,000 per year when including tuition, housing, living expenses, materials, and other costs. For my financial situation, that is a huge amount of money and honestly feels almost impossible without major financial aid or scholarships.

This has made me question whether studying animation at an expensive school is truly worth it, or if it is possible to build a career through a more independent path.

I’m feeling confused and overwhelmed, so I’d really appreciate honest advice from people who have studied animation, work in the industry, or have taken a self-taught route.

My questions are:

1. Is attending a prestigious animation school like CalArts worth the cost for an international student?
2. How realistic is it to enter the animation industry without going to an expensive school?
3. What alternative paths would you recommend for someone who wants to become good at animation but cannot afford schools that cost tens of thousands of dollars per year?
4. What should a beginner focus on first: drawing, storytelling, animation principles, software, portfolio, or networking?
5. Are there more affordable schools, online programs, mentorships, or communities that could help someone build a strong portfolio?
6. If you were starting at 25 with limited money but a strong desire to learn animation, what would you do?

My main interests are 2D animation, character animation, storytelling, storyboarding, and character design. My long-term dream is to work on animated films or eventually have my name in the credits of a project.

Any honest guidance would mean a lot.