CalArts vs. Allen University

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of the Arts is larger than Allen University based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 610 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Allen University is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Allen University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Allen University 12:1.

CalArts vs. Allen University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or Allen 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 Allen University than CalArts ($11,182 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Allen University are 39.3% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($8,584 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 312.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Allen University (about $44,692 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $14,304.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 312.4% higher at CalArts than at Allen University (about $44,692 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $14,304.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Allen University than at California Institute of the Arts (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of the Arts students is 65.7% larger than aid received by Allen University students ($21,416 vs. $12,927).

CalArts vs. Allen University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CalArts or Allen 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 Allen University and CalArts.

• Allen University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; Allen University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027; Allen University Jul 1, 2027.
• Allen University has a higher acceptance rate (72.5%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 6.1% at Allen University.

CalArts vs. Allen University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and Allen 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 California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $26,100 more per year than Allen University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $24,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of the Arts graduates have a $8,619 lower median loan debt than Allen University graduates ($28,500 vs. $37,119).
• Among borrowers, CalArts graduates have an estimated $89 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Allen University graduates ($294 vs. $383).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Allen University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 13%)

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.