Alaska Pacific University vs. CalArts

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of the Arts is larger than Alaska Pacific University based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 593 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Alaska Pacific University vs. CalArts Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alaska Pacific University or CalArts? 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 CalArts ($21,960 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alaska Pacific University are 36.8% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($8,932 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 184.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alaska Pacific University (about $38,236 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $20,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 184.2% higher at CalArts than at Alaska Pacific University (about $38,236 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $20,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alaska Pacific University than at California Institute of the Arts (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of the Arts students is 86.7% larger than aid received by Alaska Pacific University students ($21,416 vs. $11,471).

Alaska Pacific University vs. CalArts Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alaska Pacific University or CalArts? 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 CalArts and Alaska Pacific University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alaska Pacific University - Test-free; CalArts - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• Alaska Pacific University has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.1% at Alaska Pacific University vs. 27.9% at CalArts.

Alaska Pacific University vs. CalArts Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alaska Pacific University and CalArts? 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 Institute of the Arts's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Alaska Pacific University's (46%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Alaska Pacific University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Alaska Pacific University graduates have a $5,250 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($23,250 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Alaska Pacific University graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($240 vs. $294).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alaska Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.