Art Center College of Design vs. CDU

Comparable Facts

Compare Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA with Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Art Center College of Design is larger than CDU based on total student enrollment (2,308 students vs. 852 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Art Center College of Design is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Art Center College of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Art Center College of Design 9:1; Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science 4:1.

Art Center College of Design vs. CDU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Art Center College of Design or CDU? 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 Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science than Art Center College of Design ($35,558 vs. $53,271).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Art Center College of Design are 40.7% lower than at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science ($19,632 vs. $33,090).
• Art Center College of Design is 135.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CDU (about $31,170 more per year; $54,170.00 vs. $23,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 135.5% higher at Art Center College of Design than at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science (about $31,170 more per year; $54,170.00 vs. $23,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science than at Art Center College of Design (100% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Art Center College of Design students is 424.1% larger than aid received by Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science students ($22,412 vs. $4,276).

Art Center College of Design vs. CDU Admissions comparison

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

• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Art Center College of Design - Test-free; CDU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CDU Jul 30, 2027.
• Art Center College of Design has a higher acceptance rate (74.5%) than CDU (38.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.5% at Art Center College of Design vs. 3.5% at CDU.

Art Center College of Design vs. CDU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Graduates from Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than Art Center College of Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,900 vs. $58,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science graduates have a $9,931 lower median loan debt than Art Center College of Design graduates ($21,319 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, CDU graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Art Center College of Design graduates ($220 vs. $323).
• More Art Center College of Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CDU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 56%)

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.