CalArts vs. Allen College

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA with Allen College in Waterloo, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Institute of the Arts is larger than Allen College based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 483 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Allen College is in Waterloo, IA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Allen College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Allen College 8:1.

CalArts vs. Allen College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts 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 37.7% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($8,800 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 202.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Allen College (about $39,480 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $19,516.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 202.3% higher at CalArts than at Allen College (about $39,480 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $19,516.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of the Arts than at Allen College (95% vs. 0%).

CalArts vs. Allen College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts 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 CalArts.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; Allen College - Not reported.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027; Allen College Feb 1, 2027.

CalArts vs. Allen College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts 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).

• California Institute of the Arts's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Allen College's (50%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Allen College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $49,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Allen College graduates have a $11,750 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($16,750 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Allen College graduates have an estimated $121 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($173 vs. $294).
• More Allen College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CalArts students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 64%)

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.