Art Center College of Design vs. Allen College

Comparable Facts

Compare Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA with Allen College in Waterloo, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Art Center College of Design is larger than Allen College based on total student enrollment (2,308 students vs. 483 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Art Center College of Design is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Allen College is in Waterloo, IA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Art Center College of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Allen College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Art Center College of Design 9:1; Allen College 8:1.

Art Center College of Design vs. Allen College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Art Center College of Design or Allen College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Allen College are 55.2% lower than at Art Center College of Design ($8,800 vs. $19,632).
• Art Center College of Design is 177.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Allen College (about $34,654 more per year; $54,170.00 vs. $19,516.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 177.6% higher at Art Center College of Design than at Allen College (about $34,654 more per year; $54,170.00 vs. $19,516.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Art Center College of Design than at Allen College (60% vs. 0%).

Art Center College of Design vs. Allen College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Art Center College of Design or Allen College? 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 Allen College and Art Center College of Design.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Art Center College of Design - Test-free; Allen College - Not reported.
• Typical fall application deadline: Allen College Feb 1, 2027.

Art Center College of Design vs. Allen College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Art Center College of Design and Allen College? 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).

• Art Center College of Design's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Allen College's (50%).
• Graduates from Art Center College of Design earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than Allen College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,300 vs. $49,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Allen College graduates have a $14,500 lower median loan debt than Art Center College of Design graduates ($16,750 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, Allen College graduates have an estimated $150 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Art Center College of Design graduates ($173 vs. $323).
• More Allen College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Art Center College of Design students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 73%)

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.