CalArts vs. Bluefield University

Comparable Facts

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

California Institute of the Arts is larger than Bluefield University based on total student enrollment (1,277 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Bluefield University is in Bluefield, VA (Remote Town setting).
• California Institute of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of the Arts 7:1; Bluefield University 14:1.

CalArts vs. Bluefield University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CalArts or Bluefield 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 Bluefield University than CalArts ($22,216 vs. $56,239).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield University are 32.9% lower than at California Institute of the Arts ($9,480 vs. $14,134).
• California Institute of the Arts is 120.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluefield University (about $32,226 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $26,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 120.4% higher at CalArts than at Bluefield University (about $32,226 more per year; $58,996.00 vs. $26,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of the Arts than at Bluefield University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of the Arts students is 5.3% larger than aid received by Bluefield University students ($21,416 vs. $20,341).

CalArts vs. Bluefield University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CalArts - Test-free; Bluefield University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CalArts Jan 5, 2027.
• Bluefield University has a higher acceptance rate (59.3%) than CalArts (32.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at CalArts vs. 18.5% at Bluefield University.

CalArts vs. Bluefield University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CalArts and Bluefield 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).

• California Institute of the Arts's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Bluefield University's (36%).
• Graduates from California Institute of the Arts earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Bluefield University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have a $7,666 lower median loan debt than CalArts graduates ($20,834 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CalArts graduates ($215 vs. $294).
• More CalArts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluefield University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 51%)

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.