Art Center College of Design vs. National University

Comparable Facts

Compare Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA with National University in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

National University is larger than Art Center College of Design based on total student enrollment (22,115 students vs. 2,308 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Art Center College of Design is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); National University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Art Center College of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. National University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Art Center College of Design 9:1; National University 16:1.

Art Center College of Design vs. National University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Art Center College of Design or National University? 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 National University than Art Center College of Design ($25,043 vs. $53,271).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Art Center College of Design are 14.9% lower than at National University ($19,632 vs. $23,076).
• Art Center College of Design is 307.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than National University (about $40,886 more per year; $54,170.00 vs. $13,284.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 307.8% higher at Art Center College of Design than at National University (about $40,886 more per year; $54,170.00 vs. $13,284.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at National University than at Art Center College of Design (79% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Art Center College of Design students is 119.7% larger than aid received by National University students ($22,412 vs. $10,200).

Art Center College of Design vs. National University Admissions comparison

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

• National University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Art Center College of Design - Test-free; National University - Open admission.

Art Center College of Design vs. National University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Art Center College of Design and National University? 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 Art Center College of Design earn a median of about $400 more per year than National University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,300 vs. $57,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, National University graduates have a $2,608 lower median loan debt than Art Center College of Design graduates ($28,642 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, National University graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Art Center College of Design graduates ($296 vs. $323).
• More Art Center College of Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former National University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 50%)

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.