Alaska Pacific University vs. California College of the Arts

Comparable Facts

Compare Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage, AK with California College of the Arts in San Francisco, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California College of the Arts is larger than Alaska Pacific University based on total student enrollment (1,308 students vs. 593 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alaska Pacific University is located in Anchorage, AK (Large City setting); California College of the Arts is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• Alaska Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California College of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alaska Pacific University 7:1; California College of the Arts 8:1.

Alaska Pacific University vs. California College of the Arts Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alaska Pacific University or California College of the Arts? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Alaska Pacific University than California College of the Arts ($21,960 vs. $46,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alaska Pacific University are 59.6% lower than at California College of the Arts ($8,932 vs. $22,099).
• California College of the Arts is 190.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alaska Pacific University (about $39,466 more per year; $60,226.00 vs. $20,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 190.1% higher at California College of the Arts than at Alaska Pacific University (about $39,466 more per year; $60,226.00 vs. $20,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alaska Pacific University than at California College of the Arts (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California College of the Arts students is 187.3% larger than aid received by Alaska Pacific University students ($32,953 vs. $11,471).

Alaska Pacific University vs. California College of the Arts Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alaska Pacific University or California College of the Arts? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between California College of the Arts and Alaska Pacific University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alaska Pacific University - Test-free; California College of the Arts - Test-free.
• Alaska Pacific University has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than California College of the Arts (91.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.1% at Alaska Pacific University vs. 8% at California College of the Arts.

Alaska Pacific University vs. California College of the Arts Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alaska Pacific University and California College of the Arts? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California College of the Arts's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Alaska Pacific University's (46%).
• Graduates from Alaska Pacific University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than California College of the Arts graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,600 vs. $43,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Alaska Pacific University graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than California College of the Arts graduates ($23,250 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Alaska Pacific University graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California College of the Arts graduates ($240 vs. $289).
• More California College of the Arts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alaska Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.